In a tragic incident, 154 people got injured during fireworks at a temple festival near Neeleswaram in Kerala’s Kasaragod district late Monday night. Eight of the injured were in serious condition, the police said.
According to the information received, the police suspect that the unfortunate accident took place after a fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu temple caught fire. The fireworks exploded during a festival at Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple near Neeleswaram in Kasaragod district on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
According to the police, the accident happened during the annual ritual kaliyattam, also known as theyyam, that was attended by thousands. The explosion took place when sparks fell inside the shed where the firecrackers were stored, also knows as magazine, which was less than 100 meters away from the fire-line (the place where the fireworks are displayed).
The police informed that when the fireworks were going on, sparks fell on the magazine, causing a series of explosions. Panic spread among those attending, with many suffering burn injuries.
District collector K Inbasekar told reporters that the temple authorities had not gotten any permission to light fireworks and the police have taken the office bearers into custody. Those who were seriously injured have been admitted to the government medical college in Kannur, while others are being treated at various hospitals in Kasaragod. A few others have also been rushed to hospitals in Mangalore. A case has also been registered against the temple committee’s office bearers.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan says, “Shocking news came from Nileshwaram in Kasargod district last night. About 154 people have been injured and admitted to different hospitals. This Theyyam festival is a custom of the people of North Malabar…the police were not vigilant about this festival…”
Theyyam is a popular annual ritual in the temples of North Kerala, especially Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Theyyam at Anjootambalam veerakavu temple marks the beginning of the ritualist performance in all temples in the region. Bursting firecrackers is a traditional practice at the temple at the time of theyyam.
