VIDEO | Kerala: Over 150 people were injured, including eight seriously, in a fireworks accident during a temple festival near Neeleswaram, #Kasargod, late on Monday. The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru.#KeralaNews #Kerala… pic.twitter.com/jGcrSxi31i
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 29, 2024
More than 150 people were injured in a massive fireworks accident that took place at Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple in Nileshwaram. The annual festival marks the beginning of Theyyam festival in North Malabar.
Witnesses said they saw a ball of fire and heard a deafening burst when the accident occurred.
#BREAKING A devastating fire incident occurred during the fireworks display at the Veerabhadra Temple festival in Neeleswaram, Kasaragod district of Kerala, resulting in injuries to 154 individuals, with 10 people reported in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/dBKtsyygh9
— Mahalingam Ponnusamy (@mahajournalist) October 29, 2024
The crackers were burst near the storehouse where the remaining fireworks were kept. It has been revealed that no precautions were taken during the festival and the temple officials procured Rs 24,000 worth of fireworks without getting permission.
The minimum 200-metre distance was not maintained between the magazine storage and the fireline as required by law.
Rules also stipulate that a 100-metre distance should be kept between the fireline and the people. A mock drill is also required two days before the festival. However, these were reportedly not followed during the festival.
Police have registered a case and the temple committee president and secretary have been arrested.
At least 10 people are seriously injured in the accident. All the injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kannur, Kasaragod and Mangaluru.
