Kerala fire: Over 150 injured, 8 critical, in fireworks accident near Veerarkavu temple

Kerala fire: The fire broke out near Veerarkavu Temple in Kerala's Kasaragod. The injured have been taken to hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru.

Kerala fire news: More than 150 people were injured, including eight seriously, in a fireworks accident during a temple festival near Neeleswaram in Kerala's Kasaragod late on Monday, news agency PTI reported citing police.

A police officer scans the scene where an explosion occurred Monday night when a fireworks storage facility caught fire injuring several people during a festival at Veerarkavu Hindu temple, at Neeleswaram in Kasargod district, Kerala, on Tuesday, (AP)

The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru. It is suspected that the accident took place when a fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu Temple caught fire. The accident occurred around midnight, the report added.

Top district administration officials, including the collector and the district police chief, have reached the spot.

According to Mathrubhumi, which quoted eyewitnesses, the incident took place during a fireworks display at the Moolamkuzhi Chamundi Theyyam festival in Nileshwar, Kasaragod district, Kerala, when a misfired cracker struck a building storing explosives.

The resulting explosion ignited a large fire, injuring several bystanders, including women and children who had gathered nearby to watch the Theyyam performance.

80% burns injuries

The district collector said those who were seriously injured had 80 per cent burns.

"The cause of the accident is being ascertained. Samples have been collected from the site. A case was lodged," he said.

He further said according to a preliminary probe, the fireworks storage facility and the place where the crackers were being burst were close by.

"The safety precautions were not taken. The requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters between the two was not followed. No permission was taken either for storage of fireworks," he added.

According to the police, it is suspected that the accident occurred when the fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu Temple caught fire.

The accident occurred around midnight, they said.

Moving train catches fire in Haryana, few injured

In an unreated story, a fire broke out in a moving train near Rohtak, Haryana, on Monday evening following an explosion in firecrackers that were being carried by a passenger, officials said. A few passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident.

The train was headed to Delhi from Jind via Sampla and Bahadurgarh. The fire broke out in a portion of the train and it was soon shrouded in smoke, the Government Railway Police (GRP) official said.

Two to three passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident, he said. Forensic experts were called in to examine the spot and further investigation is underway, the officials said.