Kasaragod (Kerala), Oct 29: A major fireworks accident during the Veerarkavu Temple festival near Neeleswaram left over 150 people injured, with eight in critical condition, local police reported on Tuesday.
Those injured have been rushed to hospitals across Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru. District Collector stated that the critically injured suffered burns covering up to 80 percent of their bodies.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. Authorities have collected samples from the site, and a case has been registered. Initial findings suggest that the fireworks storage facility was located dangerously close to the area where the crackers were ignited, with a lack of safety precautions and failure to maintain the required 100-meter distance. Additionally, no permissions had been obtained for fireworks storage.
Police suspect the fire began when the storage facility near the temple ignited around midnight, causing the tragic incident.
