A memorial for the school children, who perished in the 2004 fire accident at Krishna School in Kumbakonam. Students of Kumbakonam Government Fine Arts College designed the memorial, which depicts children in flames and wailing parents. In a horrifying tragedy that shocked the nation, 94 schoolchildren were burnt to death as fire raged through a primary school in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu on July 16, 2004. Photo M. Srinath
Saplings with names of children who died in Kumbakonam fire accident at Salem. Photo P. Goutham.
The concrete wall through which fortunate children made their escape. Photo: Vino John.
A view of the Sri Krishna aided Primary School, Kumbakonam, where the fire accident occurred on July 16, 2004. Photo: Vino John.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi consoling the families of children who lost their lives, at Kumbakonam Government hospital. Photo: K. Ganesan
Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani visiting the scene of fire at Kumbakonam on July 16, 2004. Photo: M. Moorthy
Former Madras High Court judge K. Sampath handing over the report of the commission of inquiry into the Kumbakonam school fire to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Chennai on July 13, 2005. Photo: S. R. Raghunathan
Parents paying floral tributues to children who died in the fire tragedy, in Kumbakonam. Photo:Special Arrangement
Children's bags and books lying scattered in a classroom soon after the fire. File photo: Vino John