10 trekkers dead in TN forest fire

Theni: The death toll in the forest fire in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu rose to 10 on Monday as the state government ordered a probe. The government also assured action against those who arranged the expedition without permission from the forest department.

Palaniswami also warned that stern action would be taken in future against trekkers who undertake such expeditions without government permission. “Without permission, they went on a trekking expedition. Trekkers should climb hills only after obtaining the government’s permission,” Chief Minister K Palaniswami said.

During the summer months of March, April and May, permission to trek is not given as the high forest ranges are dry with the possibility of forest fires spreading fast, he said. Palaniswami said 10 people, seven women and three men, were killed in the fire at Kurangani Hill range of the Western Ghats, around 500 km from Chennai, and expressed grief over the deaths.

While seven victims were from Chennai, others were from Erode district. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and others ministers oversaw the operations. Revenue Minister R B Udayakumar and Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, besides some senior officials, are camping in the area.

While state rescue agencies, including the fire department, rescued 26 stranded people, the Centre also deployed defence helicopters and commando forces during the operations.