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Scores killed in India as fire breaks out at temple in Kollam Scores killed in India as fire breaks out at temple in Kollam
(35 minutes later)
A large fire at a Hindu temple in the south Indian town of Kollam has reportedly left an estimated 70 people dead and 150 injured. A large fire at a crowded Hindu temple complex in the south Indian town of Kollam has reportedly left more than 80 people dead and 200 injured.
The incident took place at 3.30am as worshippers had gathered to celebrate the Hindu new year festival Vishu at the Puttingal temple, in Kerala state. The incident took place at 3.30am as thousands of worshippers had gathered to celebrate the Hindu new year festival Vishu at the Puttingal temple, in Kerala state.
Pictures from Puttingal temple in Kollam (Kerala) when fire broke out that claimed 75 lives, 200 injured. pic.twitter.com/v0pyVFNcVBPictures from Puttingal temple in Kollam (Kerala) when fire broke out that claimed 75 lives, 200 injured. pic.twitter.com/v0pyVFNcVB
State home minister Ramesh Chennitala said more than 70 people died and 150 others were injured in the fire. State home minister Ramesh Chennitala said more than 80 people died and 200 others were injured in the fire.
He says the blaze was started by firecrackers stored in the crowded temple. He said the blaze was started when firecrackers stored in the temple complex ignited.
The temple was gutted as huge flames engulfed the building within minutes, trapping devotees within the temple, he said.
Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.
Large crowds had come together at the temple to watch the fireworks display. Large crowds had come together at the temple to watch a fireworks display.
The minister said firefighters and police worked during the night at the temple to douse the fire. Some reports suggested the explosions caused the temple’s roof to collapse, crushing worshippers inside.
“Now the situation is under control... the police are on the spot,” he said. Local TV channels broadcast images of huge clouds of white smoke billowing from the temple, as fireworks were still going off in the night sky.
The government has reportedly launched an investigation into the tragedy. Successive explosions from the building storing the fireworks sent huge chunks of concrete flying as far as a kilometre, according to resident Jayashree Harikrishnan.
Indian media reported more than 80 people had been killed and 200 injured. Some reports suggested the explosions caused the temple’s roof to collapse, crushing worshippers inside. “Huge pieces of concrete were flying through the air. Chunks landed in our yard,” she said.
The Times of India said the conclusion of Puttingal temple festival is marked by fireworks and that one of the fireworks ignited firecrackers stored in a shed, leading to a huge explosion.The Times of India said the conclusion of Puttingal temple festival is marked by fireworks and that one of the fireworks ignited firecrackers stored in a shed, leading to a huge explosion.
Images from the scene posted on Twitter showed a huge fireball erupting into the night sky.Images from the scene posted on Twitter showed a huge fireball erupting into the night sky.
A video posted on Twitter showed fireworks exploding into the sky as blast after blast shook the temple and flames erupted.A video posted on Twitter showed fireworks exploding into the sky as blast after blast shook the temple and flames erupted.
The Times reported that 200 injured people had been taken to several hospitals, many suffering serious burns. By morning, firefighters had brought the blaze under control, officials said. Rescuers were sifting through the wreckage in search of survivors, while backhoes were clearing the debris and ambulances ferried the injured to nearby hospitals.
Every year, the temple holds a competitive fireworks display, with different groups putting on successive light shows for thousands of devotees gathered for the last day of a seven-day festival honoring the goddess Bhadrakali, a southern Indian incarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali
This year’s competition was happening without permission, after the state’s High Court banned competitive light shows at temples.
State labour minister Shibu Baby John said incident would be investigated, and the victims would be compensated.
Kollam beach lies about 70km north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.Kollam beach lies about 70km north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The port town of Kollam attracts thousands of tourists each year, with its panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. It’s the second largest port in Kerala after Cochin.The port town of Kollam attracts thousands of tourists each year, with its panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. It’s the second largest port in Kerala after Cochin.
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