More than 150 people were injured and 8 critically injured in a fireworks accident during the “Theyyam” festival in Nileswaram, Kerala. The incident happened around midnight. The injured individuals have been moved to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said a firework display was going on at the temple in Kerala when a firecracker fell into a nearby shed, where more firecrackers were stored.
Kerala Fire Tragedy:
Over 154 people were injured, 10 of them critically, when a firecracker mishap broke out at the Anjuthambalam Veererkavu temple in Nileswaram in Kerala’s Kasaragod district late on Monday night. The Kerala Police have arrested two persons due to this massive accident due to the negligence of the temple officials. Shocking scenes from the scene showed the firecrackers creating a huge fire and cloud of smoke moments after the fire started, sending people gathered in the temple premises and running around in fear.
The incident took place at Anjuthambalam Veererkavu during the celebration of the beginning of the festival season ( theyyam ) in the North Malabar region. Eyewitnesses said a firework display was being held at midnight when the firework caught fire in an adjacent shed where more firecrackers were stored. As a result, the fire spread faster. Visuals showed the shed erupting in huge flames and smoke, leaving everyone who had gathered for the festival shocked and several fans injured.
Eyewitnesses said that everyone was present at the festival with their families and loved ones. Suddenly I heard a loud explosion and saw a huge fire rising in my throat. Seeing this scene panic spread all around and there was noise all around.
Several residents reported that all the vegetables were kept in a shed near where crackers were being burst. The local panchayat representative blamed a lack of vigilance. The distance between the shed and the location where the crackers exploded should have been more carefully considered by the temple administration. This distance should be at least 100 meters (between where the crackers are being burst and where the crackers are intended to be placed), but here the distance is only a few feet.
Currently, the Kerala Police has taken the President and Secretary of the temple committee into custody. The temple authorities said that they had constructed a temporary shed with a tin wall where less intense firecrackers worth around Rs 28,000 were stored.
A girl injured in the blast said a spark from the crackers caught all the other firecrackers and exploded within seconds. Forensic teams have collected samples from the site to aid investigations, and local authorities have pledged to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
Local CPI(M) MLA Shri M Rajagopal termed the incident very unfortunate and held a meeting with the District Collector in this regard. According to him, the event happened at midnight while fireworks were being set off to commemorate the celebration. The firecrackers were less intense, and just before the explosion, a fire spark fell on the stored firecrackers.
The district collector said that 80 percent of those who were seriously injured were burnt. He (the District Collector) said the real cause of the accident would be found out. Samples were collected from the scene. A case has been filed.
Initially, the District Collector said that this accident happened due to a lack of security. The place where firecrackers are stored should be at least 100 meters away from where crackers are being burst. He (District Collector) also informed that no permission was taken for the storage of firecrackers.
He said (The district collector) said that 80 percent of those who were seriously injured were burnt. He (the District Collector) said the real cause of the accident would be found out. Samples were collected from the scene. A case has been filed.
Hello! I’m Shubhadip Ghosh, the creator of “Daily News“. As a digital marketer with a passion for storytelling, I created this blog to share timely news and insights that matter. My goal is to provide you with engaging and informative content that keeps you updated. Join me on this journey as we explore the ever-changing world around us! Thank you for being a part of this journey!
