Fire Explosion At Temple Festival In Injures Over 150 Worshippers
The blast sent an inferno into the air, rocking the crowded temple grounds where devotees had gathered for the annual Hindu ritual known as theyyam, celebrated from dusk to dawn, Independent reports.
Fireworks explosion injured at least 150 people during a festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu temple in Kerala, India, on Monday night.
The blast sent an inferno into the air, rocking the crowded temple grounds where devotees had gathered for the annual Hindu ritual known as theyyam, celebrated from dusk to dawn, Independent reports.
Among the injured, eight were in serious condition, according to local officials.
A senior government official confirmed that the fireworks display had proceeded without the necessary permissions.
Following the incident, police detained the temple committee’s president and secretary, launching an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
The blast occurred when sparks from the fireworks ignited a storage shed, known as a magazine, filled with crackers on the temple premises.
Fireworks explosions have become a tragic recurrence in India, where firecrackers are often sold without regulation, especially during the festive season.
Earlier this year, in February, a fire engulfed a fireworks factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, killing 11 and injuring approximately 150 people. Last October, 14 lives were lost in Tamil Nadu following explosions at two firecracker factories ahead of Diwali.
In the same year, 23 people died while producing firecrackers in a village in Madhya Pradesh.
In 2016, one of the deadliest temple firework tragedies struck Kerala when an explosion at the Puttingal temple killed nearly 100 people.
It was reported that the temple also lacked the required permissions for its fireworks display.
