Attibele fire: Most victims were students, says CM Siddaramaiah

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Oct 8, 2023: Most of the 14 persons killed in the cracker shop blaze near here were poor students who worked during the holidays to support their education.

Official sources said six of the deceased were Class XII and undergraduate students. One person has been arrested in connection with the tragedy that happened on Saturday.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said most of those who were killed in the fire tragedy in the cracker godown-cum-shop in the border town of Attibele in Bengaluru urban district were students.

According to him, the victims hailed from Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. "Most of those who died were students who worked during the holidays to earn money for their studies. Barring the manager, none was a permanent employee," the chief minister told reporters after inspecting the spot.

He also met the bereaved family members and expressed his sorrow. The young boys came from a very poor background who worked on holidays to fund their education and support their families, the sources said.

The chief minister further said that the government will bear the medical expenses of the three injured undergoing treatment in a hospital. He said a CID inquiry has been ordered into the incident.