KERALA, India: A fireworks show at a Hindu temple in Nileshwaram, Kerala, led to a major explosion on Monday, injuring nearly 154 people, with eight in critical condition.
Hundreds had gathered to watch the display, but the event turned tragic when fireworks ignited a nearby stockpile of explosives, creating a powerful blaze.
According to AFP the local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah, the fireworks display had been set off too close to where additional fireworks were stored, causing the flames to spread quickly.
Kerala authorities reported that no official permission was granted for the show, and the temple president and secretary were subsequently detained. Many in the crowd sustained burns, particularly to their faces and hands, underscoring a pattern of safety lapses at large gatherings in India. In a similar incident in 2016, over 100 people died in a banned fireworks display at another Kerala temple.
With the Diwali festival approaching, which is known for widespread use of fireworks, safety concerns are heightened. While Delhi has banned firecrackers to combat severe pollution, nforcement is often lenient due to the religious importance of fireworks in Hindu festivals.
