[Kollam,Kerala]83 killed, over 350 injured in fire at temple,
PM Calls It heart-rending & shocking beyond words And Directs Health Minister J P Nadda to immediately reach the site of the fire tragedy in Kollam
Eighty Three people were killed and over 350 injured during festivities at the Puttingal DeviTemple at nearby Paravoor early today when a huge explosion occurred at a store room filled with crackers and pyrotechnic material.
Thousands of people had gathered at the temple precincts to witness the fireworks display which were on since midnight.
The mishap occurred as sparks fell on the storeroom ‘Kambapura’ and exploded with a thundering noise at around 3.30 AM, police said.
The sound of the explosion could be heard over a km radius.
The whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran helter skelter, eyewitnesses said.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is rushing to the accident spot after cancelling his programmes, said the situation was “unprecedented and alarming”.
The State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct, he said.
Officials fear the toll could go up.