Coast Guard sends ship, chopper along with medical team to Kollam

NEW DELHI: The Coast Guard sent a ship and a helicopter along with a medical team to Kollam for relief work and assistance to those injured in the major fire mishap at the Puttingal Devi temple early today.

It said its station at Vizhinjam, located near Thiruvananthapuram, is in touch with local authorities for assistance.

"Our Coast Guard ship C427 with medical team and essential medical supplies has reached the spot. We are assisting the local authorities in rescue and relief work, transporting the injured. A Chetak helicopter is also being pressed into service," said an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson.

The team is also assisting in blood donation.

"Our officials too had rushed for donating blood. However, several local people have volunteered to donate blood. Our team is now assisting the local authorities in blood donation," he said.