Kumbakonam school fire: 10 convicted for deaths of 94 children

The District and Sessions Court has delivered the final verdict in the 2004 Kumbakonam accident where 94 children were burnt alive in their school. While the sentencing will be awarded later today, the court has convicted 10, including the school owner, head mistress and principal, while 10 others have been acquitted.

Of the total of 501 witnesses, 230 were examined during the trial, which included survivors (children) and parents of the 94 children, who lost their lives.

The tragic incident which brought to light poor safety conditions for children in schools across the country occurred on July 14, 2004 in Kumbakonam, when a fire sparked from the make-shift noon meal kitchen spread to the thatched hut in the first floor and killed 94 children.

At the time of the incident, over 200 children were in the thatched roof class room. The narrow building on Kasiraman Street, which housed three schools together Sri Krishna Aided Private School, Saraswathi Nursery and Primary School and Sri Krishna Girls High School with the students' strength exceeding 700 did not have necessary fire safety equipment.