The bodies of 16 Indians, who had perished in the July 30 fire accident at Manama in Bahrain, reached Chennai on Wednesday in a Gulf Air flight.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Venkatapathy, Tamil Nadu Ministers Ponmudi, T M Ambazhagan, M R K Panneerselvam and officials were present at the airport to receive the bodies.

After all the formalities were completed, the bodies were handed over to the relatives, official sources said.

The deceased belonged to Villupurama, Cuddalore and Perambalur districts. Separate vehicles were arranged to take the bodies to their respective villages in these districts.

The state government had announced Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the victims.