Over 30, Mostly Students, Caught In Major Forest Fire In Tamil Nadu; IAF Called In

Chennai:  Over 30 people, mostly students, were caught in a massive forest fire in Theni district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday evening. Seven women students have been rescued; they have been taken to the Theni hospital.

The students, who are from Erode and Coimbatore, were trekking to the Kurangani hills, when they got caught in the fire. The air force has been pressed into service for rescue operations, which has already been started by locals and forest personnel, who have reached the site, say police.

A MI-17 chopper of the Indian Air Force is already on its way from Sulur, to assess the situation say sources in the defence ministry. An aerial survey will first be done to gauge the extent of damage.

On a request from Chief Minister Palanisami, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman instructed the Indian Air Force to help in rescue and evacuation of students.

"Southern Command is in touch with the Collector of Theni," tweeted the Defence Minister and 10-15 students have been rescued. They are already on their way down, Ms Sitharaman said.

A senior police officer has told NDTV, that 27 students from Chennai had gone for trekking but "they did not take permission from police or the forest department."

Ambulances and fire engines have been sent to the spot, fire officials told NDTV. The officials say since the area does not have good cell phone connectivity, detailed information is not available.

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"One of the members of the trekking team called 108 ambulance service and alerted about their situation", an official said.


Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is on his way to the spot.