At least 154 people were injured, eight of them grievously, when fireworks exploded during a festival at Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple near Neeleswaram in Kasaragod district on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
The accident occurred as a crowd, including women and children, gathered to witness the Theyyam, unaware that stray sparks from the fireworks show would trigger an explosion.
The firecrackers, stored in a temporary sheet-covered structure adjacent to the temple wall, ignited suddenly, creating a large fireball. The blaze resulted in burns to faces, hands, and clothing of those nearby, as reported by officials.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Mangaluru.
Top district administration officials, including the collector and the district police chief, have reached the spot.
Authorities are probing the cause of the fire, as local communities come together to support the victims and their families.
