Most victims of TN fire tragedy hailed from Andhra

Majority of the victims of the cracker shop fire at Tiruvallur district hailed from Andhra Pradesh and efforts were on to ascertain their details to award their families a cash relief of Rs one lakh announced by Tamil Nadu government, officials said today.

Majority of the victims of the cracker shop fire at Tiruvallur district hailed from Andhra Pradesh and efforts were on to ascertain their details to award their families a cash relief of Rs one lakh announced by Tamil Nadu government, officials said on Sunday.

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District Collector V Palani Kumar said that of the 32 people killed in the mishap at Pallipat town, 27 belonged to Andhra Pradesh and the rest were from Tamil Nadu. The town is located near the Tamil Nadu-AP border.

"The District Collector of neighbouring Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh) has been asked to ascertain details of the deceased. Tamil Nadu government has announced a cash relief of Rs one lakh to the families of the deceased," Kumar said.

Since most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition, authorities had appealed to the people in nearby villages, especially in Chittor, to inform about any missing person. Some 15 people have lodged complaints in the district taluk office stating that their relatives were missing.

Thirty-two people were killed at Pallipat on Friday evening when a blaze swept through the wholesale cracker shop.

Police have arrested the owner of the shop.