Kerala News: In a tragic accident late Monday night, a fireworks mishap at the Veerarkavu Temple near Neeleswaram resulted in injuries to more than 150 people, with eight in critical condition. Authorities report that the victims were transported to hospitals across Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for immediate treatment. The District Collector provided an update, confirming that the seriously injured individuals sustained severe burns, with some suffering 80 percent burns.Investigation points to lax safety ProtocolsFollowing the incident, the District Collector confirmed that an investigation is underway. Initial findings suggest that safety regulations were not adhered to, as the minimum mandated distance of 100 meters between the fireworks storage facility and the detonation area was not maintained. Additionally, authorities revealed that there was no formal permission obtained for the storage of fireworks at the site, leading to further concerns about regulatory lapses.๐จ BIG TRAGIC NEWSOver 150 Injured, 8 Serious, in Fireworks Accident at Temple Festival in Kasargod, Kerala.– Prayers for the speedy recovery of Injured people ๐ pic.twitter.com/2tPAcbYwWR— Megh Updates ๐จ™ (@MeghUpdates) October 29, 2024Cause of Fire Suspected to be Fireworks Storage FacilityThe incident reportedly took place around midnight when the storage facility caught fire, igniting nearby fireworks and resulting in an explosion. Police have collected samples from the accident site to determine the exact cause of the fire. A case has been registered, and officials are conducting a thorough investigation to assess liability.Authorities to Increase Safety Protocols at Public FestivalsOfficials have acknowledged the need for stricter safety measures for handling fireworks during festivals to prevent similar tragedies. The Collector emphasized that adherence to safety protocols must be enforced to avoid such hazardous incidents in the future.
