Fireworks accident at Kerala temple injures over 150

A festive night turned tragic as over 150 people were injured during a fireworks accident at the Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple festival near Neeleswaram.

The incident occurred around midnight on Monday during the annual Kaliyattam ritual, which attracts thousands of spectators.

Local police reported that nine individuals suffered serious injuries when an explosion engulfed a viewing area packed with attendees, including women and children. A mobile video capturing the chaos has since gone viral, highlighting the urgency of safety measures during public events.

According to a Manorama Online report, several local residents expressed concern that a storehouse for low-intensity firecrackers was situated too close to the fireworks display area. Local ward member E Shajeer emphasized the need for better precautions, stating, "Crackers are not burst on a large scale here. It is a small event. However, there should have been more precaution regarding the distance between the shed and the place where crackers were burst."

The temple committee confirmed that they had stored firecrackers worth approximately ₹28,000 in a temporary tin shed, which exploded, leading to the tragedy. In light of the incident, the temple committee’s president and secretary have been taken into police custody as investigations proceed.

Top district officials, including the collector and the district police chief, arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion. The injured were transported to hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru.

Witnesses described the harrowing moments as the fireworks display escalated into an uncontrollable blaze, prompting urgent questions about safety protocols at large gatherings.