Mangalore : The HPCL has  provided an intermediate ex-gratia of Rs 17 lakh at the rate of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the next of  kin of the  victims of the April 9 LPG tanker mishap at Perne  near Uppinangady.

In a press communiqué, the DC said a compensation of Rs 50,000 has also been provided to the injured. It may be recalled here that the ghastly tragedy had  left  10 dead and one person injured. In fact, the HPCL authorities were severely  reprimanded by the DC soon after the mishap at a meeting held in Mangalore, criticizing the lackadaisical approach of the company.

The release by the DC said as per the report of the Tahsildar the total loss was put at Rs 43,19,764.78. A total of 12 shops and houses were damaged  while seven vehicles too were destroyed.The government has also paid a total compensation of Rs 10 lakh at the rate of Rs one lakh each.

The DC said the HPCL has also been directed to station a rescue vehicle at Gundya which can come in handy at times of such mishaps.