Country mourns Kerala temple tragedy

Praying for the departed souls and well-being of the injured, Congress President Sonia Gandhi asked Kerala government to ensure ample and immediate relief measures while party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi decided to visit Kollam.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, BJP Chief Amit Shah, chief ministers, governors and leaders of various parties expressed grief over the tragedy. 

“Very sad news from Kerala. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Prayers for those injured,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted. 

“Saddened by the Kerala temple fire tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased and prayers with those injured,” her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar said on Twitter. 

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said his thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. “God be with them in this hour of darkness & despair,” he tweeted. 

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad too expressed grief at the Kollam temple fire incident saying, “heart goes out for the victims and families”. 

“Very sad to hear such tragic news. Prayers with all victims,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet. At least 100 people were killed and nearly 400 injured in a major fire that broke out in Puttingal Devi Temple complex packed with thousands of people near Kollam in Kerala at about 3 am on Sunday during a display of fireworks for which there was no permission from the authorities.

Bollywood celebrities Rishi Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi and John Abraham have mourned the loss of lives in the major fire that broke out in Puttingal Devi Temple complex. “Sad. #Puttingal #Kollam #Kerala. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased,” Rishi tweeted.

Hashmi wrote, “My deepest condolences to families who lost their beloved ones & prayers for the injured. Strength and power to you all. #Kollam.” 

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan retweeted emergency helpline numbers following the tragedy. 

Abraham said, “Devastated knowing about the innocent lives lost at the #Kollam fire, my condolences to their families & prayers for all the injured!”