Tamil Nadu Forest Fire: 20 College Students Trapped in Theni Hills, IAF's Rescue Operations Underway

Theni (Tamil Nadu), March 11: Around 20 students of a college who were on trekking expedition were caught in a forest in Theni district of Tami Nadu on Sunday afternoon. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been sent to Kurangani hills in Top Station near Kurangani to rescue the trapped students. The Air Force swung into action responding to a request from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that the IAF has been instructed to help the rescue operation.

Sitharaman also tweeted about the rescue saying, "Responding to the request from the Hon @CMOTamilNadu on the forest -fire-related issue -20 students are caught in Kurangani, Theni district. Instructed @IAF_MCC to help in rescue and evacuation. The Southern Command is in touch with the Collector of Theni."

Updating on the incident Sitharaman said that 10-15 students have been rescued. She said, "Just now I have spoken to District Collector. He communicated that 10-15 students have been rescued. They are coming down from the hill. Operation continues.: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's tweet on forest-fire in Tamil Nadu."

Here are visuals of the forest fire in Tamil Nadu:

Here is Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman's tweet:

According to The Times of India, students were caught in the fire around 4 pm. One of the students called her father about the incident who in turn alerted the forest department. Fire tenders have also reached Kurankani hills in Theni to rescue the students.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 11, 2018 08:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).