Kollam (Kerala): Asserting that the state government was acting very decisively and swiftly over the deadly Kollam inferno that killed at least 105 people, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that this was a tragedy for Kerala as well as the entire nation.
"I have spoken to the Chief Minister and our leaders and our government is acting very decisively and swiftly. We have taken care of the people who are injured and hurt. I came here to see with my own eyes as to what has happened. I visited some of the patients and I went to the site. It's a time of tragedy and a very sad time for the country and we are with the people of Kerala," Rahul told the media here.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College where he met the particularly serious patients in the burns intensive unit.
He said that he had assured Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of complete aid from the Centre and added that assistance would be provided if the serious patients need to be shifted to Mumbai or New Delhi for further treatment.
"The incident that happened today is extremely saddening. Nobody can imagine that death can come in such a manner. So many people have been severely injured that too on such a large scale. I visited the site of the incident today, went to the hospitals where the injured have been admitted and also spoke to the Chief Minister," the Prime Minister said.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Chandy and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, visited the site of the incident and met the victims in the hospital.
A team of 15 burn specialist doctors from All India Institute of Medical Science and other hospitals from Delhi accompanied the Prime Minister to Kollam.
At least 105 people were charred to death in a fire accident at Puttingal temple during a festival at Paravur in Kollam district early this morning. 350 people have been injured and admitted to various hospitals.
The fire broke out due to the explosion of crackers at the temple. The fire has now been brought under control.