102 killed in massive fire at Kerala's Puttingal temple, Centre orders probe
Kollam: At least 102 people were killed and 280 injured when a major fire broke out in the Puttingal Devi Temple complex at nearby Paravoor early on Sunday when sparks emanating from a fireworks display ignited a store room filled with crackers and pyrotechnic material.
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The figures were confirmed by Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy. Those injured in the tragedy have been rushed to Trivandrum Medical College.
Offering his deep condolences to the deceased and their families, Chandy announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of those killed and Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured.
As the temple festival was on, fireworks display had commenced at the temple precincts since midnight and hundreds of people had gathered to watch the show.
Read: Pak offers condolences over Kerala temple tragedy
As the fireworks and pyrotechnics display was coming to a close at 3 AM, an explosion is suspected to have occurred at the storeroom 'Kambapuram' filled with crackers and pyrotechnics materials, police said.
Read: Kollam fire: Centre sends team to probe storage of firecrackers
Thousands of people had gathered at the temple precincts to witness the fireworks display which were on since midnight when the fire broke out.
Read: Kerala fire: Situation at mishap site alarming, says Oomen Chandy
The whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran helter skelter, eyewitnesses said.
People gather near the mishap site in Kerala's kollam district. (Photo: DC/ Rakesh Nair)
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.
Chandy, who was on an election tour, has cancelled all his programmes to rush to the accident site.
Asked about the death toll, the Chief Minister said the number would go up as reports are pouring in from different hospitals, where the injured have been admitted.
The government would extend treatment facilities to the injured persons in the hospitals preferred by their relatives, he said.
Video footage of the moment the temple caught fire:
WATCH: Moment when fire broke at Puttingal temple fire in Kollam (Kerala) due to fireworks display, 75 dead.https://t.co/xXtBnZkgWX
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
Authorities have released control room numbers: 0474-2512344, 9497930863, 9497960778.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to offer his condolences to the deceased and their families.
Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2016
Have also asked my Cabinet colleague & Health Minister @JPNadda to immediately reach the site of the fire tragedy in Kollam.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2016
Modi also said that he will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the fire tragedy in Kollam.
He also announced Rs two lakh each as compensation to the next of the kin of the dead in the temple mishap and Rs 50,000 to those who are injured.
A case has been registered against temple authorities and explosive licenses in the temple mishap.
Government has rushed the Chief Controller of explosives safety organisation PESO to probe the use and storage of firecrackers at the temple complex.
Officials of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), DIPP will work closely with district authorities to establish facts.
Fires and stampedes are common at temples and during religious occasions, often because of poor security arrangements and lax safety standards.
