The fatal and massive fire erupted in the forest of Theni district late on Sunday has now claimed its 16th victim. 39 people who were part of a Women’s Day trek, consisting of mostly women, some men and children were part of the trek, and they were coming down the slopes from Bodinayyakanur when they got trapped in the forest fire in the Kurangani area.

According to reports and updates, 16 are dead, 17 have been hospitalized and another 10 in shock. Today morning, Anu Vidhya, an avid trekker from Chennai who was 25, passed away after sustaining 80% burn injuries. A member of the CTC she was a vegan and an advocate of the same wanting to be the first vegan to climb Mount Everest!

A newly married couple also passed away in the group. Divya and Vivek were runaway lovers who eloped and married!

Read our article: Theni Fire who’s to blame?