 "86 dead, 200 injured in Kerala temple firework mishap")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed as "heart-rending" and "shocking" the fire at a temple in Kollam and said he is rushing to Kerala to take stock of the situation.
"Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he said in a tweet.
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"I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam," he said.
The Prime Minister has also asked Health Minister J P Nadda to reach the site of the mishap.
At least 83 people lost their lives and 350 others were injured when a fire broke out at a temple in Kerala's Kollam district during display of fireworks.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister about the mishap.
"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.
He announced Rs two lakh each as compensation for the next of the kin of the dead in Kollam temple fire in which more than 80 people have been killed.
He also announced Rs 50,000 each for the injured in the tragedy that occurred early this morning in Puttingal Devi Temple near Kollam town.
Expressing deep anguish and shock over the accident.
