Oommen Chandy, who cancelled all his scheduled poll programmes, is on his way to the temple in Kollam in Kerala.
Highlights
- Will give treatment facilities to injured in hospitals of preference: CM
- Govt to ask poll panel to exclude treatment from ambit of code of conduct
- The tragedy is 'unprecedented' and 'alarming', Mr Chandy said
Helicopters have been called in to evacuate those critically wounded in the fire at the Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said. The tragedy in the coastal town has left at least 100 dead and 350 injured.
"The Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister expressed their grief and have promised all the help. I have requested two helicopters at the earliest," he told NDTV.
Mr Chandy, who termed as "unprecedented" and "alarming", cancelled all his scheduled poll programmes and is on his way to the accident site.
"Rescue operation at the mishap spot is over...The next main focus of the government is to provide best treatment to the injured," he said.
"This is an unprecedented and alarming situation," Mr Chandy said.
The government would extend treatment facilities to the injured persons in the hospitals preferred by their relatives, he said.
The State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct, he said.
The fire broke out in the grounds next to the temple around 3 am during a fireworks display. More than 10,000 people were present at the temple for the New Year festival of Vishu.