Toll in forest fire climbs to 23

One more victim of the Kurangani forest fire died at a private hospital here around 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 23.

The hospital sources said the victim, Swetha, 28, was admitted on March 22 with 60% burn injuries. She had been critical and in the intensive care unit.

On March 26, another young woman, also a victim of the forest fire, had died at the hospital.

Two groups of trekkers – one from Chennai and another from Erode – were caught in the forest fire on March 11.