Over 150 people were injured, with eight in critical condition, following a fireworks accident during the annual Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple in Kerala’s Kasaragod district. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, around 12:30 am, shocking the local community and prompting an emergency response from authorities.
According to police reports, the accident is suspected to have been triggered by a fire that broke out at a fireworks storage facility near the temple premises. The flames spread rapidly, leading to a massive explosion that injured scores of festival-goers who had gathered to celebrate the temple’s annual event. The injured were immediately rushed to various hospitals in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru, where they are currently receiving treatment. Local hospitals are working round the clock, with medical teams attending to the critically injured in an effort to stabilize their condition.
Following the tragic incident, police registered a case against eight members of the temple committee, charging them under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. The case aims to investigate any potential negligence or lapses in safety protocols that could have led to the disaster. Authorities have launched an extensive probe to determine the exact cause of the fire and are exploring whether proper permissions were obtained for the storage and use of fireworks during the festival.
Senior officials from the district administration, including the collector and district police chief, quickly arrived at the scene to assess the situation and oversee rescue efforts. The local community has rallied in support of the victims, with many offering assistance to those affected by the accident.
This incident comes on the heels of a broader discussion around festival safety in Kerala. Earlier this week, the Kerala Police registered an FIR in connection with an alleged plot to disrupt the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival in April this year. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused opposition parties of exaggerating the issue, while the FIR lists charges of criminal conspiracy, incitement to riot, and outraging religious sentiments. The government has accused the Sangh Parivar and the Congress-led UDF of attempting to provoke unrest during the event, though it ultimately proceeded without any disruptions.
The tragic fireworks accident in Kasaragod has brought festival safety concerns to the forefront, as authorities continue to investigate the incident and ensure proper measures are taken to prevent such disasters in the future.
