PM Modi condoles deaths in Puttingal temple fire, announces relief

Expressing his grief over the killing of 83 people and over 350 injured in the Puttingal temple fire in Kerala's Kollam district on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident is heart-rending and shocking beyond words, while announcing ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakh to next of the kin of the victims and Rs 50,000 to critically injured.

"My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured. I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam," he tweeted.

The Prime Minister also spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to take stock of the situation arose of the temple fire. "Spoke to CM Oommen Chandy about the fire at a temple in Kollam. Arranging for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter," he said in a tweet.

"The Prime Minister has announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin to the victims and Rs 50,000 to critically injured. He will be leaving for Kerala shortly, where he will meet Chief Minister Chandy and injured people," a government spokesperson told ANI.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Modi directed Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to rush to the scene. "Have also asked my Cabinet colleague & Health Minister @JPNadda to immediately reach the site of the fire tragedy in Kollam."

Stating the news of major fire at Puttingal temple is deeply distressing, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh added that he was extremely pained over the loss of lives.

"The news of major fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam is deeply distressing. Extremely pained over the loss of lives in the accident," he tweeted.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in Kollam accident. My prayers are with the injured. Spoke to Kerala CM Sh.Chandy regarding the Kollam accident who apprised me of the situation.Assured him of all possible help from the Centre," tweeted Rajnath.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has cancelled all his public programmes scheduled in Kerala on Sunday. He will now be visiting Kollam later in the day.