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Fire at Kerala's Puttingal temple leaves 100 dead | |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 100 people have died in a fire at Puttingal temple in the Indian state of Kerala, police told the BBC. | |
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. | 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. | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is travelling to the scene. |
He tweeted that the accident in Paravur was "heart-rending and shocking beyond words". | |
Many of the injured are in critical condition and are being treated at the government medical college in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. | |
Kerala police chief TP Senkumar said that many of the dead were charred beyond recognition and would have to be identified by DNA tests. | |
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. | "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 an investigation into the accident. | |
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is also due to visit the scene this morning. | 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. |
However, the local district magistrate had denied permission for the display to be held this year because of safety concerns and complaints from residents. | |
The police are planning to take 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. |