Toll in Kurangani forest fire rises to 20

The toll in the devastating fire at Kurangani forests in Theni district rose to 20 with the death of two women at a hospital here today, police said.

The women identified as Sai Vasumathy and Nithya Nikruthi succumbed to burns at a private hospital here, police said.

A total of 39 persons - 12 from Erode and Tirupur and 27 from Chennai had embarked on a trip on March 10.

Three among the Chennai group went to Kerala and the rest proceeded for trekking.

Of the 36 people caught in the forest fire, 20 died, 10 were rescued without any injuries and the rest are undergoing treatment.

On March 19, Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the state Assembly that a forester was suspended and a case registered against a local man, G Ranjithkumar, for leading the trekkers through the reserve forest.

For violations, police were taking action against Chennai Trekking Club and Erode based Tour de India, he had said.

The state government has appointed top official, Atulya Misra, as Inquiry Officer to probe the circumstances leading to the death of the trekkers in Kurangani hills and submit a report on the incident within two months.