Indira Rai
MANGALORE: The LPG bullet tanker accident at Perne, Uppinangady on Tuesday claimed its 10th victim with Indira Rai, 40, succumbing to injuries at a hospital here on Saturday.
Indira Rai had suffered 60% burns in the incident that claimed eight lives on the day of the incident and left three, including Indira, battling for life. On Friday, Vimala, 38, an anganwadi teacher had died at a hospital here.
This leaves 75-year old Khateejamma, who suffered 30% burns and is still in a critical condition. Her relatives had shifted Khateejamma from Government District Wenlock Hospital on Thursday night and she is being treated at a private hospital. A Bangalore-bound LPG tanker overturned at Perne killing Guruvappa, 30, Shobha,45, Chaitresh, 5, Vanitha, 38, Sunil, 5, tanker driver Selvarasu from Tamil Nadu, van driver Vasanth, 30, and Khateejamma, 40.
The Bangalore-bound, multi-axle tanker was transporting 16 tonnes of LPG for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. The district administration which has taken a serious view of the incident had warned that action will be initiated against HPCL for their role in the incident. A follow-up meeting of DC Harsh Gupta with HPCL officials on Saturday was deferred to Monday as the DC was busy with election-related preparation at Puttur and Sullia.
RELIEF KITS DISTRIBUTED
In a related development, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Dakshina Kannada district branch on Friday distributed relief kits to people affected by the fiery inferno. Basroor Rajeev Shetty, head of the state unit of IRCS, distributed kits worth Rs 5,000 each to the eight families. The kit contains items of household use. Holding HPCL responsible for the incident, IRCS has recommended hefty financial compensation to the next of kin of victims and the injured.
