March 12, 2018: Five women were killed in a major forest fire that broke out in Kurankani near Theni in Tamil Nadu Sunday evening. Rescuers have recovered charred bodies of five women last night. Police said, two women, who were rescued with severe injuries, have been admitted to Bodinaikkannur government hospital.
Multiple teams including from the fire service, police and defence forces have been pressed into service to rescue 36 trapped trekkers, most of them women. Indian Air Force has sent two helicopters on the directives of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after she was approached for help by Chief Minister K Palaniswami.
Chief Minister said rescue operations are underway on a war footing and his deputy O Panneerselvem, Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan and top officials are overseeing the operations. (AIR News)
