Tamil Nadu: Nine trekkers dead in a massive Theni forest fire, 27 rescued

At least nine trekkers were killed after being trapped in a forest fire in Theni district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

"Nine persons are dead, while 17 of the rescued have been hospitalised and 10 did not require hospitalisation," Commissioner of Revenue Administration K Sathyagopal told reporters.

Among those nine killed in the fire include four women, four men, and a child.

Out of nine dead, six are from Chennai and three from Erode district.

A 36-member team -- 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tiruppur and Erode districts -- on a trekking expedition reached Kurangani hills on March 10. The team included 25 women and three children, according to Theni District Collector Mariam Pallavi Baldev.

Among trekkers, 27 people were from Chennai and a batch of 12 from Erode and Tirupur 

A medical team had been sent to the spot and employees of a nearby private tea estate were also assisting in the rescue operations.

Police said the students from Coimbatore and Erode were taking training in Kurangai-Kozhuku Hill area when the fire suddenly broke out around noon.

The IAF was pressed into action by the Defence Minister after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami sought help on the matter.

A defence press note said 16 Garud commandos were in action from the morning.

Eight commandos had already reached the top and had started dousing the fire, it said.

One helicopter completed the first round of action and continuing it, the release said, the fire was still razing.

Four choppers had been pressed into service.