Kerala fireworks tragedy: Over 150 injured during a fireworks display at Anjootambalam Veerekavu Temple

Fireworks explosion in Kerala’s Kasaragod during temple festival

In a tragic incident late last night, more than 150 people were injured, including 10 seriously, during a fireworks display at Anjootambalam Veerekavu Temple in Kerala‘s Kasaragod district. Eyewitness accounts describe shocking scenes of chaos as a massive fire erupted, engulfing the area in smoke and panic.

The accident occurred during the festive season celebrations in the North Malabar region.

Witnesses reported that a firecracker may have fallen into a nearby shed filled with more fireworks, leading to an explosive chain reaction. Disturbing visuals show the crowd scrambling for safety as flames consumed the shed.

“It started with a loud blast, and then we saw a ball of fire. Panic ensued as the crowd rushed to escape. Many were trapped near the shed, making it difficult for them to move,” the witness said.

Sreerag, a temple volunteer who traveled from Bengaluru for the festivities, mentioned that the crowd was unusually large that night. He speculated that a spark from a flower cracker likely ignited the stored Chinese fireworks in the shed, causing the disaster.

Local residents expressed concern about the proximity of the fireworks storage to the display site. E Shajeer, a local ward member, emphasized the need for better safety precautions, stating, “While this is typically a small event, there should have been more attention to the distance between the storage shed and the fireworks area.”

Kasaragod Collector Inbasekar K reiterated the importance of safety regulations, insisting that fireworks should be stored at least 100 meters away from ignition sites.

In the wake of the tragedy, two officials from the temple committee have been taken into police custody. An FIR has been filed against eight committee members for organizing the fireworks display without the necessary permissions and for violating safety guidelines. The FIR claims that negligence led to the fire in the fireworks storage area.

As investigations continue, the local community mourns the impact of this tragic event and calls for stricter enforcement of safety measures to prevent future incidents.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post Kerala fireworks tragedy: Over 150 injured during a fireworks display at Anjootambalam Veerekavu Temple appeared first on PGurus.