Kerala temple fire: Situation at site alarming, says CM Oommen Chandy

Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said the situation at the Puttingal Devi temple was “unprecedented” and “alarming” after a fire broke out during a festival, leaving at least 102 dead.

The death toll is expected to go up.

Chandy, who cancelled his poll rallies, is on his way to the site.

“Rescue operation at the mishap spot is over...The next main focus of the government is to provide best treatment to the injured,” he told PTI.

Asked about the death toll, the chief minister said the number would go up as reports are pouring in from different hospitals, where the injured have been admitted.

“This is an unprecedented and alarming situation,” Chandy said.

The government would extend treatment facilities to the injured people in the hospitals preferred by their relatives, he said.

The state chief secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the election code of conduct, he said.

At least 102 are feared dead and 280 injured after a fire broke out at the Puttingal Devi temple during a festival at Paravur at around 3:30am.

As the temple festival was on, fireworks display had commenced at the temple precincts since midnight and hundreds had gathered to watch the show.