Chandy thanks all for expressing concern on temple fire

Thiruvananthapuram, April 12 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday thanked everyone, including the world leaders, for expressing concern on the fire tragedy at Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam that left 109 people dead and over 350 injured.

"At the moment, we have been advised by the medical team that there is no need for any patients to be shifted to hospitals outside the state," Chandy told reporters at the medical college here after visiting the injured and chairing a meeting of high-ranking health and other officials.

A team of medical professionals from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, who went around hospitals in Kollam and the state capital, expressed happiness on the manner in which the medical professionals are working hard to assist the patients.

"The medical professionals in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram are doing a wonderful job and have risen to the occasion," the team leader from AIIMS told reporters here.

Five patients at the hospital here continue to be very critical, while the condition of the remaining 60 patients have been said to be better.

Chandy also said that at Wednesday’s weekly cabinet meeting, all other aspects of the tragedy which include the difference of opinion between the district collector and the district police officials over the permission granted to the fireworks display for the temple would be taken up.