Jayalalithaa orders fast relief to Andaman victims

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Sunday expressed deep sorrow at the death of at least 28 people in a boat capsize near Andaman islands, and ordered officials to take necessary action for providing relief to the survivors.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said senior state government officials have been ordered to reach Port Blair, the Andamans capital, immediately to take action to provide medical relief to those who have been rescued.

The accident took place near the Bay Island and the tourist boat belonged to a private party, the statement said.

She said that out of the total 45 passengers, 33 were from Kanchipuram district, around 70 km from here.

Jayalalithaa said majority of the dead were from Kanchipuram. Orders have been issued to bring the bodies here at the government's cost.

She also ordered the release of Rs.100,000 as solatium for the families of each of the dead.