Modi brings 15 burn specialist physicians with him to Kerala.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
KOLLAM (KERALA): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here to take stock of the tragedy at Puttingal temple, which has killed 108 people and injured more than 400 people after an illegal fireworks display went horribly wrong and caused a fire on the temple premises. Modi reached the state capital Thiruvananthapuram by flight and took a helicopter ride to Kollam.
Modi also took 15 burn specialist physicians with him, who have gone to work immediately to tend to the victims in various hospitals in the district.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, Modi had tweeted: “Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.”
In another tweet, Modi had put forth his travel plans to Kerala. “I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister had informed the state government not to arrange any kind of reception ceremony as per protocol.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Member of Parliament N.K Premachandran, and state governor P Sadasivam were present at the airport to receive Modi.
Modi visited Puttingal temple and the Kollam district hospital where most of the injured have been admitted. After that, he held a meeting with Chandy, other ministers and higher officials at Kollam government guest house.
The union health minister JP Nadda also reached Kollam and later visited Kollam district hospital.
BJP President Amit Shah, who is in Kerala for campaigning for the state elections, also went to some hospitals where the victims are being treated.
The Congress party vice president Rahul Gandhi also reached Kollam Sunday evening. “Will be in Kollam this afternoon to meet the families affected by the tragic fire at Puttingal temple,” he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, Gandhi expressed grief over the tragedy on his Twitter account. “News of the devastating fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala is extremely shocking.”