Kerala temple fire: Protocols not followed, police detain two

Authorities have blamed officials at the Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Kerala’s Nileshwaram for the fire that injured 154 people. The police have detained two officials for questioning.

The fireworks incident occurred late Monday night during the temple festival, with local officials noting a serious failure to adhere to safety protocols while handling firecrackers.

Among the injured were spectators of the traditional ‘Theyyam’ ritual. Currently, one person is in critical condition, and eight others are seriously injured, with 97 individuals receiving treatment in hospitals across Kasargod, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Mangalore.

Kasargod District Superintendent of Police D. Shilpa stated that the temple authorities did not comply with safety regulations and lacked the necessary permissions for the event. District Collector K. Inbasekar confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to identify any lapses, and forensic samples have been collected from the site.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started when sparks ignited fireworks stored in a nearby room. One young girl, who was present during the incident, described how the chaos unfolded, leading to several people fleeing and sustaining injuries, while her sister escaped unharmed.

Local CPI(M) MLA M. Rajagopal called the incident “very unfortunate” and spoke with the District Collector. He noted that the firecrackers involved were of low intensity and emphasized that the accident occurred when sparks from the fireworks fell into the storage area.

Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan condemned the incident, which took place shortly after midnight during festival celebrations, highlighting the serious lapses by officials in ensuring safety compliance.