Chennai: Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of eight people killed when the goods carrier in which they were travelling plunged into a well at S N Pudhur village, near Thuraiyur, in Trichy district, last evening.
In a statement here, he expressed grief and anguish over their deaths and announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to their families.
Stating that nine people who suffered injuries in the mishap were undergoing treatment at a hospital, Palaniswami also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 each to those who had grievous injuries and Rs 25,000 to those who suffered simple injuries.
He said soon after hearing about the mishap, he directed the district administration to take up relief and rescue works immediately and provide all assistance to the victims.
The Chief Minister said he had also deputed Tourism Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan, Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar and Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Minister S Valarmathi to the spot console the families of the deceased and visit the injured in the hospital. He also wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
A total of 17 people were returning to their native village after taking part in a local temple festival when the driver lost control of the vehicle after one of the tyres burst.
The van plunged into the well.