Karnataka to send doctors to treat Kollam fire victims

Bengaluru, April 10  Karnataka plans to send a 10-member medical team to treat victims of the temple fireworks tragedy near Kollam in Kerala, Health Minister U.T. Khader said on Sunday.

"We are awaiting clearance from the Kerala government to send the team of specialist doctors and paramedics," Khader told IANS here.

An illegal fireworks show at a temple dedicated to Puttingal Devi at Peravur in Kollam early on Sunday set off a huge fire, leaving at least 110 people dead and over 350 injured, many critically.

As the news of tragedy reached here, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed Khader to send the medical team to Kerala.

"We have also kept aside medicines and blood to send with the medical team to Thiruvananthapuram, the nearest point (60km) to Kollam on the west coast," Khader said. He also spoke to his Kerala counterpart on the issue.