November 23, 2024 23:41 (IST)
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30 booked for Kerala temple fire, shrine authorities won't accept ban on fireworks
Thiruvanthapuram, Apr 11 (IBNS) A day after 110 people were killed in a devastating fire at a temple in Kollam in Kerala, a police case was filed against 30 people including members of the board that administers the shrine, while authorities, running nearly 1000 Hindu places of worship, said they will not accept a ban on fireworks, media reports said.
Very early on Sunday morning, 10,000 people were present at the Puttingal Devi temple, about 70 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, to watch a fireworks display at a major annual festival that coincides with the start of the Hindu new year.
The display began at midnight and continued for four hours. Then suddenly, a cracker fell onto a shed where the fireworks were stored, sparking a string of powerful explosions that blew the roof of the administrative block of the temple and caused another building to collapse.
Nearly 400 people are injured.
The Travancore Devaswom Board, in charge of nearly 1,000 temples, said it will not obey a ban on fireworks, and that it is up to the government to ensure public safety.
Fireworks had been banned by local officials in Kollam, but the temple went ahead with a competition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to Kollam on Sunday with a team of doctors to help state authorities cope with the large number of injured.
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