More than 100 killed in fireworks accident

Kollam: More than 100 persons died in a fireworks accident during festival at Paravoor Puttingal temple early this morning. Many have been injured.

The ‘Kambapura’ where the gun powder and materials for pyrotechnics caught fire towards the end of the pyrotechnics and the whole building exploded. Many people were reportedly killed by flying debris which included parts of pillars and tiles. Parts of temple and nearby houses were damaged.

The injured had been admitted to District Hospital, Kollam, and Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The Central government has promised helicopter assistance to shift the injured on a request from Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

An official spokesman said that the show did not have permission. The Additional District Magistrate had rejected the application from the temple managing committee under Explosives Act as enquiries showed that the fireworks were being organised on competitive basis.

The pyrotechnics at the temple had started around midnight and the accident occurred around 3 am. The government is likely to order a comprehensive enquiry into the incident. The Cabinet may be meeting in Kollam this afternoon to decide on the enquiry, compensation and other matters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit Kollam. He has already announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the nexxt of kin of the dead and Rs. 50000 each to the injured.