KERALA, (TDI): A huge explosion of fireworks during a religious festival in southern India injured over 154 people, with eight in critical condition and many others hospitalized, a report confirmed on Tuesday.
The explosion took place on Monday night when a fireworks storage facility near the Veerarkavu temple caught fire, police authorities said.
The incident occurred in Kasargod, located approximately 580 kilometers (360 miles) northwest of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
Witnesses reported a large crowd gathered at the Hindu temple to enjoy the fireworks when a series of loud crackles preceded a massive explosion that sent flames soaring into the sky.
Local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah confirmed the situation, stating, “Around eight people are critical, and 97 have been admitted to the hospital.”
According to Dyavaiah, the fireworks were set off dangerously close to a storage area filled with additional firecrackers, leading to the catastrophic blast as sparks ignited the cache. Eyewitness accounts indicated that many in the packed crowd suffered burns to their faces and hands.
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K. Inbasekhar, a local government official, stated that the organizers had not obtained the necessary permissions for the fireworks display.
Reports indicate that both the temple president and secretary have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Tragically, this event is part of a broader pattern of safety lapses and poor crowd management at religious gatherings in India.
A similar incident in 2016 resulted in the deaths of at least 112 people due to a banned fireworks display during a temple celebration.
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As India approaches its major fireworks season for the Diwali festival, which celebrates the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, safety concerns remain high.
In an effort to combat hazardous air pollution, the capital, New Delhi, has implemented a ban on firecrackers, though enforcement is often inconsistent due to the deep cultural significance of these traditions among Hindu devotees.
