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Fire at Kerala's Puttingal temple leaves 75 dead | Fire at Kerala's Puttingal temple leaves 75 dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 75 people have died in a fire at Puttingal temple in Paravur in the Indian state of Kerala, police say. | More than 75 people have died in a fire at Puttingal temple in Paravur in the Indian state of Kerala, police say. |
The fire started about 03:30 (22:15 GMT Saturday) when an explosion was set off in a store of fireworks ready for celebrations of a local Hindu new year festival, local media reports say. | |
A building at the temple then collapsed, causing many of the fatalities. | A building at the temple then collapsed, causing many of the fatalities. |
More than 200 people have been injured at the temple. | |
Those with most serious burns injuries are being treated at the government medical college in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. | |
The impact of the blast was felt in houses up to a kilometre away. | |
Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered in an investigation into the accident. | Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered in an investigation into the accident. |
"The temple holds an annual firework display every year. We're doing our best to rescue those still trapped," said Mr Chennithala. | "The temple holds an annual firework display every year. We're doing our best to rescue those still trapped," said Mr Chennithala. |
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is due to visit the scene this morning. | |
The fireworks had been stored ready for celebrations on Thursday of Vishu, a Keralan festival marking the Hindu new year. | |
Local reports say that police had not given permission for Puttingal temple to hold the fireworks display. | Local reports say that police had not given permission for Puttingal temple to hold the fireworks display. |
Fireworks and firecrackers are commonly used at temple festivals and other public events and accidents are not uncommon. | Fireworks and firecrackers are commonly used at temple festivals and other public events and accidents are not uncommon. |