Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala woke up to the biggest fire tragedy in its history as nearly 106 persons were killed and over 383 injured in an explosion during a fireworks display held as part of the Meenabharani festival of Puttingal Devi Temple at Paravoor in Kollam, about 45 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram, early on Sunday.
The impact of the fire explosion was felt more than 1 km away from the temple with several buildings in the area getting badly damaged. The casualty rose after a concrete room, where the explosives were stored, was shattered and concrete blocks bombarded the surrounding areas fatally injuring many. A large number of people also suffered burn injuries.
The entire area resembled the site of a huge bomb blast with dismembered and mutilated bodies scattered all over the temple premises. The walls of several houses and other buildings around the temple were shattered due to the explosion. Some people were also killed in the stampede following the incident.
The government ordered an investigation by the Crime Branch. Of the victims, two were women. The impact of the explosion was such that a heavy concrete block fell on a person riding a two-wheeler 1 km away from the temple.
Devotees defied instructions
Apart from the ‘padakkapura’ or the explosive store house, a temple committee office, Sree Narayana Guru Mandiaram and the temples of sub-deities were also badly damaged. The glass panes of houses near the temple were broken and houses developed cracks within a 1 km radius of the temple. Most of the victims were those who came from distant areas and were sitting on the temple ground to watch the fireworks. Even though the authorities advised people to keep a safe distance, most of them defied the instructions.
