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| India Kerala: Temple fireworks blast kills at least 100 | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An explosion and blaze sparked by fireworks have killed at least 100 people at a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Kerala, police say. | |
| The fireworks, which were to be used to celebrate a local new year festival, exploded about 03:30 (22:15 GMT Saturday), local media say. | |
| A building at the temple then collapsed, causing many of the deaths. More than 200 people were 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 the coastal town of Paravur was "heart-rending and shocking beyond words". | |
| Thousands were gathered at the temple complex for the festivities when the fire started. Television images showed big clouds of smoke as fireworks went off in the night sky. | |
| There were scenes of chaos as people tried to rescue the injured, and emergency teams were using bulldozers to clear the area in search of survivors. | |
| Many of the injured were in critical condition and were being treated at the government medical college in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. | |
| 'Beyond recognition' | |
| Kerala police chief TP Senkumar said 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," said resident Jayashree Harikrishnan. "Chunks landed in our yard." | |
| Kerala's Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, has ordered an investigation. | |
| The Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, is also due to visit the scene. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Kerala is in the midst of an election for a new state assembly but political parties have called off campaigning as a mark of respect for the victims. | |