The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has written to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, expressing deep shock on the tragedy in which several innocent children lost their lives in a fire accident in a private school in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu this morning. He said, "Children are the most precious asset of our nation and the loss of so many innocent lives is a matter of deepest sorrow. I join you and the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. My heart goes out in sympathy to the parents of these children." Dr. Manmohan Singh has requested the Chief Minister to convey his heartfelt condolences to the parents and other members of the bereaved families.

The Prime Minister has requested the Cabinet Minister, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shri Dayanidhi Maran to visit Kumbakonam to undertake a first hand study of the tragedy. Both Ministers have been requested to report back to the Prime Minister immediately.