Theni Forest Fire: Death Toll of Trekkers Rises to 20

Of the 36 people caught in the fire, 20 died, 10 were rescued without unhurt and the rest are undergoing treatment.

The toll in the devastating fire at Kurangani forests in Theni district rose to 20 with the death of two women at a hospital in Madurai on Friday, police said.

The women, who were identified as Sai Vasumathy and Nithya Nikruthi, succumbed to burns at the hospital, police said.

A 32-year-old woman, identified as Jayashree, a resident of Chennai, died on 22 March after being airlifted from Madurai and admitted to the private hospital in Madurai on 12 March. Jayashree’s death had taken the death toll to 18.

Jayashree was brought to the hospital with more than 60 percent burns. She died on Thursday without responding to treatment, hospital sources said.

A total of 39 persons – 12 from Erode and Tirupur and 27 from Chennai had embarked on a trip on 10 March. Three among the Chennai group went to Kerala and the rest proceeded for trekking.

Of the 36 people caught in the forest fire, 20 died, 10 were rescued without any injuries and the rest are undergoing treatment.

According to The News Minute, Kannan, a native of Erode, succumbed to his burn injuries at the Government Hospital in Madurai on Thursday, 15 March.

He had traveled with newlyweds Divya and Vivek and another friend Thamilchelvan from Erode for the Kurangini trek. While Vivek and Thamilchelvan were killed on the spot on Sunday, 11 March, Divya succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday, 14 March.

On 19 March, Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the state Assembly that a forester was suspended and a case registered against a local man, G Ranjithkumar, for leading the trekkers through the reserve forest.

For violations, police were taking action against Chennai Trekking Club and Erode based Tour de India, he had said. The Tamil Nadu government has also appointed top official, Atulya Misra, as Inquiry Officer to probe into the circumstances leading to the death of the trekkers in Kurangani hills and submit a report on the incident within two months.

(With inputs from PTI and The News Minute)