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Fire at Kerala's Puttingal temple leaves 84 dead | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Eighty-four 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. | 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. More than 200 are injured. | |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is travelling to the scene. | |
He tweeted that the accident was "heart-rending and shocking beyond words". | |
Those with most serious burns injuries are being treated at the government medical college in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. | 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. | The impact of the blast was felt in houses up to a kilometre away. |
"Huge pieces of concrete were flying through the air. Chunks landed in our yard," said resident Jayashree Harikrishnan. | |
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. |
"Now the situation is under control... the police are on the spot." | "Now the situation is under control... the police are on the spot." |
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is also 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. | 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. |
The police are reportedly taking action against the temple administration and the contractors who were putting on the firework 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. |