Chennai: 20 students are caught in a forest fire in Kurangani, Theni in Tamil Nadu.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Sunday that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be pressed to rescue students caught in the forest fire.

She said the Southern Command was in touch with the Theni District Collector.

Sitharaman said she was responding to a request from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami.

Several students trekking in Kurankani hills in Theni were caught in the forest fire. Fire tenders have also reached the spot to rescue the students.