The Southern Command is in touch with the Collector of Theni to assist in the rescue operations. (Source: ANI)
Around 30 people, including several students, are trapped in a forest fire in Tamil Nadu’s Kurangani hills in Theni district on Sunday. According to latest reports, at least 15 students have been rescued till now and at least five among the rescued have suffered serious burn injuries.
The Indian Air Force has been pressed into action to help in the evacuation process, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, adding that the Southern Command is in touch with the Collector of Theni to assist in the rescue operations. She was responding to a request from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami. A helicopter from Sulur Air Base has done a recce of the affected area.
“Commandos from the base are in Theni District & are working with local authorities to undertake an overnight rescue operation & provide First Aid to the students injured. There will be full efforts to evacuate all trapped by tonight. Remaining students, if any, shall be evacuated via @IAF_MCC helicopter by first light in the morning. Any students seriously injured will be directly flown to Madurai,” Defence Ministry said on Twitter. Fire tenders and ambulances have also been rushed to the spot. Follow Tamil Nadu fire LIVE UPDATES
“Action has been taken to safely rescue the fire victims in the Kurangani hills. I have ordered the Forest Minister to step up rescue operations,” CM K. Palaniswami wrote on Twitter. The rescued people are being treated at a primary health centre.
Theni Collector Pallavi with rescued students
Two air force choppers have been deployed in the area. Sources said rescue operations may be difficult in the night due to low visibility and tough terrain. Read in Malayalam
Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon. The fire department got information about the fire at around 3 pm, reported news agency IANS. “One of the trekking team members called 108 Ambulance Service and alerted about their situation. The ambulance service then called us,” the official said. Read in Tamil
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rashtravadi indianMar 11, 2018 at 9:52 pmWish and pray that all those people who got stuck in Theni forest fire in Tamilnadu return safely. We hope that Tamil forest brigands will stop entering forests in Andhra Pradesh and disturbing the police and govt establishments there.Reply- M.s. VenkatraghavanMar 11, 2018 at 9:52 pmIf such programmes are planned hope prior permission was obtained by the trekking group. It is a must especially in an hazardous areas to keep people responsible informed about the programme. However rescue operations had started is a good news.Reply
