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On Saturday evening, a huge fireworks accident caused a raging inferno and collapsed buildings at the Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur. Over 100 people perished when one explosion set off a chain reaction, which quickly engulfed the temple’s structures. At least 280 people suffered injuries, including severe burns. Indian officials are now surveying the damage in what turned out to be an illegal fireworks display that attracted huge crowds. Many gatherers traveled on foot from far-flung villages in order to attend the festival, which was meant to celebrate the beginning of the Hindu new year.
The New York Times reports that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of Kerala had “specifically forbidden” the fireworks display at this gathering, but the temple’s organizers failed to obey the ban. Disaster struck after one device landed in a cache of stored fireworks, which caused several more explosions that sent chunks of concrete flying. The crowd dispersed but not before many lives were claimed. This ANI video shows the trouble starting to happen.
WATCH: Moment when fire broke at Puttingal temple fire in Kollam (Kerala) due to fireworks display, 75 dead.https://t.co/xXtBnZkgWX
— ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2016
According to the BBC, the first explosion immediately cut off power at the festival and hampered any immediate rescue efforts. The subsequent chain reaction of explosions caused further chaos, and some nearby homes were also destroyed by the flying debris.
On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his thoughts for the families of the deceased and the injured. He’s en route to the site with an entourage of medical professionals.
I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2016
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
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(Via BBC & New York Times)