After a temple fireworks display descended into a violent explosion that left nearly a hundred people hospitalised, eight of them critically ill, Indian police arrested two persons on Tuesday.
Videos published by Indian newspapers showed hundreds of people gathered to see the fireworks at a Hindu temple in Nileshwaram, in the southern state of Kerala, on Monday night.
Then there is a burst of crackles coming from inside a building, followed by a strong ball of flame shooting skyward.
“Around eight people are critical, and around 154 have been reported injured, out of which 97 people are admitted in hospital,” local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah told AFP.
“They burst firecrackers very close to the place where they have stored the firecrackers,” Dyavaiah said, adding that sparks from the burst crackers reached the cache.
According to officials quoted in Indian media accounts, the fire burned the cheeks and hands of people in the crowded crowd.
According to K. Inbasekhar, a local government official, the fireworks display has not received any license.
The Hindu newspaper said that the president and secretary of the temple had been arrested.
India has a terrible history of fatal accidents at religious gatherings brought on by inadequate crowd control and safety measures.
In 2016, at least 112 people were killed after a huge explosion caused by a banned fireworks display at a temple marking the Hindu new year.
India is readying for its major fireworks season, a traditional celebration for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, later this week.
The Hindu goddess Lakshmi is honoured at this magnificent and vibrant event, which also represents the triumph of light over evil.
The fireworks also spew hazardous acrid smoke, and the capital New Delhi has banned firecrackers to curb hazardous air pollution.
Because Hindu devotees have strong religious feelings about the crackers, police are frequently hesitant to take action against violators.
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