Over 150 people, including women and children were injured when firecrackers stored for a Theyyam festival exploded at Anjuanbalam Veerakavu temple in Kerala’s Kasargod district last night midnight.
At least 100 people have been admitted to various hospitals in Kasargod, Mangaluru and Kannur — eight of them in critical condition, suffering from more than 80 per cent burn injuries. Most of the injured suffered burns in their faces and hands.
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It is suspected that the accident occurred on Monday midnight at Nileswaram when the fireworks storage facility near the temple caught fire. Eyewitnesses said a misfired cracker struck the sheet-paved firecracker storage facility, causing a huge explosion. A large number of people were assembled near the facility to see the ‘Chamundi Theyyam’ being staged there at the time.
Police have registered a case and started a probe into the matter.The police have taken into custody the Temple committee president and secretary.