KERALA: A massive explosion of fireworks during a religious festival in southern India has left over 150 people injured, with eight in critical condition and many others hospitalized, according to reports confirmed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Monday night when a fireworks storage facility near the Veerarkavu temple caught fire in Kasargod, roughly 580 kilometers (360 miles) northwest of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Witnesses described a large crowd gathered at the Hindu temple to enjoy the fireworks when a series of loud crackles preceded a devastating explosion that sent flames high into the sky. Local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah reported that around eight people are in critical condition, with 97 others admitted to the hospital.
Dyavaiah explained that the fireworks were ignited dangerously close to a storage area containing additional firecrackers, which led to the catastrophic blast when sparks ignited the stockpile. Eyewitnesses noted that many in the crowded area suffered burns to their faces and hands.
K. Inbasekhar, a local government official, revealed that the organizers had not secured the necessary permits for the fireworks display. As a result, both the temple president and secretary have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Sadly, this explosion is part of a larger trend of safety oversights and poor crowd management at religious events in India. A similar tragedy in 2016 resulted in the deaths of at least 112 people due to a banned fireworks display during a temple celebration.
As India approaches the major fireworks season for the Diwali festival—celebrating the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolizing the victory of light over darkness—safety concerns are on the rise. In an attempt to tackle hazardous air pollution, New Delhi has implemented a ban on firecrackers, though enforcement is often inconsistent due to the cultural significance of these traditions among Hindu devotees.