Authorities monitoring if M’sians caught in Kerala fire

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is working closely with local authorities in the South Indian state of Kerala to determine whether any Malaysian was involved in a raging inferno which struck its Paravur Puttingal Devi temple in Paravur, which has so far claimed the lives of over 100 people.

Malaysia’s Consul-General in Chennai, Ahmad Fajarazam Abdul Jalil said local authorities were facing difficulties in identifying the victims because the number of people killed or injured increased every minute.

“We are still monitoring (the situation) and at the moment, there has been no Malaysian casualty … but we cannot confirm.

“The number of fatalities is on the rise,” he told Bernama when contacted from here yesterday.

According to The Hindu online, at least 102 people were killed and over 350 injured when the inferno broke out at the temple early yesterday.

The online news also reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanying a team of burns specialist doctors to the Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple.

According to news reports, the blaze was believed to have been caused by explosions following a massive fireworks show at the temple area.

The coastal town of Paravur, is located about 60km from the Kerala’s state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam conveyed the Malaysian government’s condolences to the Indian prime minister and the people over the tragedy.

Ahmad Fajarazam said Subramaniam, who also Health Minister, had spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy. — Bernama

 

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