Six killed, 17 injured in lightning

By Our Staff Reporter

PALAKKAD, OCT. 15. In a major tragedy, six persons were killed and 17 suffered burn injuries in lightning that struck during the burial of Squadron Leader Mohan Kumar at his residence at Mannampatta near Sreekrishnapuram here today.

The deceased were identified as M.C. Ramachandran, son of Kunjeera, Haridas, N. Ramachandran, son of Narayanan, M. Raman, Vasu, son of Kunjunni, and Era, son of Kodiya. All the deceased as well as the injured were standing inside a shed at the jawan's house. However, none of the injured were reported serious. Thirteen of them have been admitted to the Palakkad District Hospital, three at the Kadampazhipuram Hospital and one in a private hospital at Perinthalmanna.

The tragedy occurred at 4-45 p.m. soon after the burial of the jawan whose body was brought to his residence at Mannampatta. In the lightning, the shed was completely destroyed.

A large number of people was assembled at the residence of the jawan to pay last respects to the departed soul. He died on Friday in a plane crash at Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Mr. Sugathan, who accompanied the body of the jawan from Coimbatore to Mannamapatta, said that the tragedy occurred soon after the burial.

The Health Minister, Mr. V.C. Kabeer, the Finance Minister, Mr. T. Sivadasa Menon, Mr. N.N. Krishnadas, MP, Mr. Jose Baby, MLA, Mr. T.K. Naushad, MLA, the District Collector, Dr. K. Elangovan, and others visited the hospitals. The two Ministers were there to oversee the arrangements in the District Hospital.

The Ministers announced an urgent financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to the families of the dead and Rs. 2,000 for those injured. The Finance Minister said that the family of the deceased would be given Rs. 30,000 since the death occurred due to a natural calamity.

The Ministers said that since it was a mass casualty, the postmortem would be conducted in the District Hospital itself on Sunday night and the bodies would be handed over to the relatives. The Ministers would also attend the funeral, they said.

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Section  : Southern States
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