25 students on trek trapped in TN forest fire, rescue ops on

TAMIL NADU 12 students rescued so far, 15 people admitted to hospital with burn injuries, IAF helping with search, rescue

THENI (TAMIL NADU): A sudden forest fire on Sunday trapped around 25 students on a mountain climbing training camp in Kurangani hills of Theni district of Tamil Nadu with 12 being rescued so far, officials said.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was approached by chief minister K Palanisami for help to rescue them and had been in touch with Theni district collector, said 10-15 students were making their way to the foothills (after being rescued).

In a series of tweets, she also said two helicopters of the Indian Air Force from its Sulur base near Coimbatore were being sent to assist in the rescue operations.

“Responding to the request from the Hon @CMOTamilNadu on the forest -fire related issue -20 students are caught in Kurangani, Theni district. Instructed @IAF_MCC to help in rescue and evacuation. The Southern Command is in touch with the Collector of Theni,” she tweeted.

In another tweet around 7 pm, Sitharaman said she spoke to the Theni district collector who informed her that 10-15 students were making their way to the foothills.

THENI (TAMIL NADU): A sudden forest fire trapped around 25 college students on a mountain climbing training camp on Sunday in Kurangani hills in Theni district of Tamil Nadu with 12 being rescued so far, officials said.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was approached by chief minister E Palaniswami for help with rescue operation and has been in touch with Theni district collector, said 10-15 students were making their way to the foothills.

The students, who are from Erode and Coimbatore, were trekking in the Kurangani Hills, located near Bodinayakanur in southern Tamil Nadu, when they got caught in the fire.

Sitharaman said she has asked the Southern Air Command of the Indian Air Force to coordinate the search and rescue operation and evacuate the students trapped in the fire.

“The @IAF_MCC are working with local authorities in Theni distt, Tamil Nadu to evacuate all trapped in the forest fire in Kurangani. Smt @nsitharaman has spoken to Collector of Theni Distt & Southern Air Command to co-ordinate a quick & effective Search & Rescue effort,” a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the defence minister said.

Theni collector Pallavi Baldev said around 40 people had gone trekking on Saturday. They were returning Sunday afternoon when the fire was spotted. The groups split up, which is why it’s not possible to say how many are still trapped. So far, 15 people have been admitted to hospital with burn injuries, said the collector. No deaths have been reported yet, she added.

Officials said 12 students had been rescued, and efforts were on to evacuate the others.

Police said the students were taking training in KurangaiKozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon. The fire department got information about the incident around 3pm, one of its officials said. “One of the trekking team members called 108 ambulance service and alerted about their situation. The ambulance service then called us.”

District superintendent of police V Baskaran and reveune and forest officials were taking steps to rescue the students.

Officials said the defence minister told the district collector to expedite the rescue operations in coordination with the other department officials.

A report from Coimbatore, quoting the police, said two IAF ‘Sarang’ helicopters from Sulur have left for Kurangani forest.

POLICE SAID STUDENTS WERE TAKING TRAINING IN KURANGAIKOZHUKU HILL AREA WHEN FIRE SUDDENLY BROKE OUT