Fire mishap at Kollam temple: PM Modi rushing to Kerala

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed as "heart-rending" and "shocking" the fire at a temple in Kollam and said he is rushing to Kerala to take stock of the situation.

"Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he said in a tweet.

"I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam," he said.

The Prime Minister has also asked Health Minister J P Nadda to reach the site of the mishap.

At least 83 people lost their lives and 350 others were injured when a fire broke out at a temple in Kerala's Kollam district during display of fireworks.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Kerala Chief Minister about the mishap.

"Spoke to CM Oommen Chandy about the fire at a temple in Kollam. Arranging for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter," he said.