Close to 100 people were killed and 200 others injured in an explosion during fireworks display at Puttingal temple in Kollam district of Kerala at around 3:30 am on Sunday.
WATCH: Moment when fire broke at Puttingal temple fire in Kollam (Kerala) due to fireworks display, 75 dead.https://t.co/xXtBnZkgWX
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
A building in the temple premises completely collapsed in the explosion. According to eyewitnesses, most of the victims died in the building collapse. While others suffered burn victims, some were also injured and killed in a stampede that followed.
Massive fire at Puttingal temple (Kerala): Injured ppl being given medical assistance in Trivandrum Medical College pic.twitter.com/aFxrD9VxXu
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kollam at 3.30 pm today. The Prime Minister as well as Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and promised all help including requisitioning of air ambulance to ferry the victims.
PM Modi along with a team of 15 doctors & medical teams from AIIMS,RML & Safdarjung hospital including burn specialists have left for Kerala
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
Military assets deployed for #Kollam tragedy:
– 2 Navy Dornier planes
– 8 IAF&Navy choppers: 4 Mi-17/4 Dhruv/2 Chetak
– 3 Navy ships w/ meds— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) April 10, 2016
According to sources, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will also reach the mishap site this afternoon.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a special meeting of the state cabinet will be held at 1 pm in Kollam and will decide on the nature of the probe into the mishap and will also discuss compensation for the victims.
“Since the model code of conduct is in place, the Chief Secretary has spoken to the Election Commission for clearances regarding the compensation to be awarded.,” Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said.
The Kollam District Administration said it had denied permission to the temple authorities for carrying out fireworks display. However, police said a conditional permission to carry out minor fireworks was obtained.
Police have registered cases against two contractors who supplied the explosives and also against the temple administration.
Control Rooms have been opened to coordinate rescue oprations: 0474 2512344, 949760778, 949730869 (Kollam) and 0471 2528647 (Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram).
Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers with you all.
Shaken by the tragic news of #Kollam. Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected. May God give us strength and resolve to bear this loss.
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 10, 2016
Sad…very sad…condolences to the families of the deceased..godspeed to the survivors… #Kollam
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) April 10, 2016
Shocked 2 here about the #Kollam fire tragedy. Heartfelt condolences with family of the deceased & prayers for the recovery of those injured
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) April 10, 2016
#Kollam fire tragic beyond words…..
— Sonali Bendre Behl (@iamsonalibendre) April 10, 2016
Saddened by news of #KeralaTempleFire.
Our hearts go out to all those affected.
Helpline Numbers
04742512344
9497960778
9497930869#Kollam— ♡♔SRKCHENNAIFC♔♡™ (@SRKCHENNAIFC) April 10, 2016
