Death toll increasing following the temple fire in Kollam

At least 110 persons are killed and over 350 injured after a fire broke out at the Paravur Puttingal Devi temple around 3:30 a.m on Sunday. The fireworks ceremony was held as part of the annual festival of the temple, near Kollam.

Over 100 victims are admitted to the district hospital in Kollam. Many of the injured died before they could reach a hospital. Victims were also admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and at various private hospitals in Kollam.

The explosion was caused when the storehouse of the fireworks materials caught fire. In the impact of the explosion, the office building of the Travancore Devaswom Board near the storehouse was blown off.

Sparks which flew from the fireworks on display landed on the storehouse and caused the explosion, preliminary reports say. There is a district level ban on pyrotechnics at temples but these are held on the basis of temporary permits annually. Such permits are given on religious tradition grounds.

Mr. Modi to visit the injured at Thiruvananthaupuram medical college hospital in a short while from now.

Collectors order rejecting the application of the temple to hold a fireworks display on April 9 as “it has become clear that it is not a firework display but a fireworks competition that will be held”, and adding that action will be taken against those who break the order.

Source: The Hindu