Kollam: At least 110 persons were killed and over 350 injured after a fire broke out at the Paravur Puttingal Devi temple around 3:30 a.m on Sunday. The fireworks ceremony was held as part of the annual festival of the temple, near Kollam.
Over 100 victims are admitted to the district hospital in Kollam. Many of the injured died before they could reach a hospital. Victims were also admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and at various private hospitals in Kollam.
The explosion was caused when the storehouse of the fireworks materials caught fire. In the impact of the explosion, the office building of the Travancore Devaswom Board near the storehouse was blown off.
Sparks which flew from the fireworks on display landed on the storehouse and caused the explosion, preliminary reports say. There is a district level ban on pyrotechnics at temples but these are held on the basis of temporary permits annually. Such permits are given on religious tradition grounds.
Live updates:
6:25 p.m.: Mr. Modi to visit the injured at Thiruvananthaupuram medical college hospital in a short while from now
6.10 p.m.: One person, who had allegedly stored crackers and fireworks ten times more than the permit, was on Sunday booked by police. Read more
5:30 p.m.: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reaches Varkala, is on his way to Paravur Puttingal temple.
5:16 p.m: Kollam temple fire: survivors recall tragedy
“After what has occurred, we regret having not concluded the competition back then. But amidst the excitement that had prevailed, an early end to the competitions was the last thing the spectators would have asked for. After all, the competition is regarded as the festival of the land and many inadequacies were often overlooked.” Read more..
04:15 pm: Kerala Cabinet announces Rs. 10 lakh ex-gratia for next of kin of those killed in firework disaster; Rs. 2 lakh for the injured.
He called for the Paravur tragedy to be declared a national disaster. He also demanded a Judicial probe by a sitting judge.
04:00 pm: Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan interacts with media persons at the blast spot.
03:58 p.m.: Our Correnspondent Jyothish Nair reports: Mr.Modi, who landed at the Ashramam ground in Kollam, left for Paravur by road with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Mr.Chandy, his Cabinet colleagues and Kollam MP, N.K.Premachandran received Mr.Modi at the Ashramam grounds. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders V.Muralidharan and PK. Krishnadas were also present.
03.45 p.m.: IMA Kerala president Dr A.V. Jayakrishnan said their Thiruvananthapuram branch President Dr R.C. Sreekumar would file a writ petition before the High Court, seeking to curb use of firecrackers.
03: 35 pm: Prime Minister Modi reaches Kollam. Mr. Modi reached Kollam by helicopter at 3.30 p.m. and left for Paravoor.
03: 25 pm: Kerala CM announces ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of those killed in fire tragedy, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured.
Judicial probe ordered into the Kollam temple fire tragedy, says Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.
03: 00 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Thiruvananthapuram. He will take a helicopter to Kollam to take stock of the situation.
01: 10 pm: So far, 112 persons have been admitted at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. Eleven had been brought dead, while two more succumbed to their injuries while under treatment at the ICU. Read more..
Round-up at 1 pm: The death toll in the Puttingal Devi Temple fireworks tragedy reached 106 at 12.30 p.m. Many of the injured under treatment at various hospitals are critical. Police said that cases have been registered against two persons who had taken the contract for conducting the fireworks display.
12: 45 pm: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy addresses the media at the spot of the explosion.
The distribution of solatiums to the next-of-kin of the deceased will not be affected by the model code of conduct that was in force, says Mr. Chandy. The Chief Secretary has obtained the permission of the Election Commission for the disbursal.
He added that the best-possible medical attention will be ensured for those injured.
Further decisions expected at a Cabinet meeting to be held in Kollam in a short while.
12: 40 pm: 56 persons among the dead have been identified.
12: 20 pm: Death toll touches 106.
12: 15 pm: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi speaks to Oommen Chandy; asks him to ensure proper adequate relief, medical care and assistance to the injured.
11: 50 am: PM Narendra Modi boards flight along with a team of burn specialist doctors. Now en route to Puttingal Temple.
11: 30 am: PM Narendra Modi to reach Thiruvananthapuram airport by 2 p.m. and will proceed to Kollam in a helicopter.
Two Dornier aircraft and 2 ALH and 2 Chetak helicopters being despatched from Garuda Naval Air Station, Kochi, with medical teams from SNC HQ.
Surendran, the firework display contractor, succumbs to injuries from the explosion, hospital sources say.
Two persons who had been admitted in the surgical ICU at Medical College hospital succumbed to their injuries, taking the total death toll at the hospital to 13. So far, 100 persons have been brought to the MCH in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy says his cabinet will decide to clamp down on illegal firework display.
Collectors order rejecting the application of the temple to hold a fireworks display on April 9 as "it has become clear that it is not a firework display but a fireworks competition that will be held", and adding that action will be taken against those who break the order.
11:16 (IST): PM Modi to leave for Kerala shortly
Delhi: A team of burn specialist doctors board PM Narendra Modi's flight to #Kollam, PM to leave shortly. pic.twitter.com/CYpVNvpEnl
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
11:11 (IST): Take ruthless action against those responsible: AK Antony
"I am really shocked. The central government, state government and everyone should work together to engange in massive rehabilitation and relief efforts," former Kerala CM AK Antony told Times Now.
"Secondly, there should be an inquiry. Ruthless action should be taken against those responsible. I request everyone not to politicise this issue," AK Antony further said.
11:04 (IST): Rahul Gandhi to visit Kollam temple
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit the Puttingal temple in Kollam, according to ANI.
11:00 (IST): Sonia Gandhi expresses grief
Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the temple fire tragedy.
"Praying for the departed souls and well being of the injured," PTI quoted her as saying. She has asked the state government to ensure ample and immediate relief measures.
10:54 (IST): The whole area had plunged into darkness: Eyewitness
The sound of the explosion could be heard over a km radius and the whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran helter skelter, eyewitnesses said. - PTI
10:52 (IST): Details of case against temple authorities
Police sources said a case has been registered against temple authorities under section 307 (Attempt to murder), and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) of IPC and under section 4 of Explosives Substances Act. - PTI
10:50 (IST): INS Kabra, INS Kalpeni being sailed to Kollam
ANI reported that INS Kabra and INS Kalpeni are being sailed to Kollam with medical stores. INS Sunayna will also be sailed to the site a while later.
Moreover, a Dornier and two Chetaks have also been deployed for rescue efforts by the Navy.
10:46 (IST): There were body parts all over the place: Witness
"There were body parts all over the place," witness Anita Prakash told CNN-IBN. "In the past, there have been fireworks but never at this level. We intend to complain to the collector," she added.
10:39 (IST): The Prime Minister is taking a team of doctors specialising in treating burn injuries along with him.
Modi will be directly landing in the town where the mishap took place.
All protocol including the Governor and the Chief Minister receiving the Prime Minster at the helipad has been waived. - PTI
10:37 am: 15 people out of the injured are critical
15 out of the over 350 people injured are critical, according to Times Now. The death toll is expected to rise.
10: 30 am: Two persons who had been admitted in the surgical ICU at Medical College hospital succumbed to their injuries, taking the total death toll at the hospital to 13. So far, 100 persons have been brought to the MCH in Thiruvananthapuram.
10: 20 am: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy says his cabinet will decide to clamp down on illegal firework display.
10: 15 am: Collectors order rejecting the application of the temple to hold a fireworks display on April 9 as "it has become clear that it is not a firework display but a fireworks competition that will be held", and adding that action will be taken against those who break the order.
10: 00 am: The Prime Minister has announced ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to next of kin of those killed in temple firework disaster; Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
09: 55 am: Death toll rises to 102.
09: 50 am: Emergency State Cabinet meeting to convened at 3 p.m. today to discuss the incident.
09: 45 am: Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said he will visit site at 11 a.m. today and decide on course of action. "I have asked Chief Secretary to approach Election Commission for permission to provide monetary relief to those affected," he tweeted.
09: 30 am: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala visits the disaster site in Kollam, says investigation is on.
09: 25 am: Raids conducted in the house of contractor Surendran, who supplied fireworks.
09: 15 am: The Medical College Hospital at Thiruvananthapuram is struggling to handle the influx of victims.
09: 10 am: Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan cancels poll campaign at Malampuzha in north Kerala, rushes to Kollam.
09: 00 am: More pictures are coming in from the site as authorities work to clear the debris.
# Narendra Modi@narendramodiI will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam.
8:23 PM - 9 Apr 2016
08: 50 am: Forensic experts begin investigation at firework disaster site at Kollam.
08: 40 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi terms firework disaster 'heart rending', says his heart is with the families of deceased and injured.
# Narendra Modi@narendramodiFire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
8:00 PM - 9 Apr 2016
08: 10 am: Authorities have opened a Helpline Control room : 0474-2512344 ; 9497960778; 9497930869
