Wardha Army Depot inferno under control, complete medical assistance provided: Fadnavis

Asserting that full support was being extended from the state government towards the tragedy at the Central Ammunition Depot in Wardha, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said, that the major inferno has been brought under control and that the death of the defence personnel in the fire was a matter of great sadness

"We are providing whatever assistance and resources required, primarily medical assistance. I have directed the district officials to extend whatever help possible. According to the information that I have so far, the fire has been brought under control. The number of casualties in the matter is truly unfortunate," Fadnavis told ANI here.

Earlier today, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and said he hope that those have been injured in the accident are given due medical care and support.

"Deeply saddened and pained to learn of the deaths of Jawans and Officers in the fire at Central Ammunition Depot in Maharashtra," he tweeted.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to head to the site of the fire and take stock of the situation.

"I have asked the information and I have come to know that an accident has taken place and many lives have been lost. I am going to visit there and will assess the situation," Parrikar said.

Mos Defence Inderjeet Singh said that the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) will give a press conference later in the day, speaking in detail about the deadly fire.

The incident took place in the wee hours of morning today as a fire broke out in the depot storing ammunition.

15 DSC jawans and two officers were killed and 17 jawans and two officers are injured, in which some are critical.

The main site of the inferno, which is a shed which caught on fire, has been extinguished.

However, secondary fire and explosions has not been ruled out and precautions are being taken to control the fire.