Fire accident at Puttingal temple in Kerala: At least 110 people died

At least 110 people were charred to death in a fire accident at Puttingal Devi temple on 10 April 2016 during a festival at Paravur in Kollam district of Kerala. More than 380 injured were admitted to various hospitals.

The tragedy struck around 3.30 am during display of fireworks at the temple complex, which is around 70 kms from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The fire has now been brought under control.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who rushed to the disaster spot has asked the chief secretary to write to the Election Commission for exempting the treatment to the injured from the purview of the Election Code of Conduct.

The state’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a detailed inquiry into the fireworks disaster. The district administration has set up a control room number with number 0474-251-2344.

Besides, Kerala government ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court Judge along with an investigation by Crime Branch of the State Police in the Puttingal Devi temple fire tragedy. Police

have registered a case for allegedly storing fire crackers ten times more than what was permitted. While, the Union Government said that the Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) was sent to the temple to probe the use and storage of firecrackers there. It will be assisted by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion to establish facts with the help of district authorities.

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