Kerala CM Oommen Chandy said the incident was unprecedented and alarming, adding that the rescue operations at the temple were over. PM Narendra Modi will visit Kerala later today to take stock of the situation.
A huge fire broke out at Puttingal temple at Paravaur (Kollam District), Kerala early Sunday morning leaving at least 105 people dead and over a hundred injured, local media said quoting police officials. The fire took place at around 3.30 am this morning. According to reports, the fire could have been caused due to a blast in the firework stockpile, readied for the temple celebrations. The police had earlier warned temple authorities to restrict usage of fireworks.
Emergency numbers: 0474-2512344, 9497930863, 9497960778
LIVE UPDATES – KERALA FIRE:
2:50 pm: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy chaired a cabinet meeting in Kollam to order a probe led by Crime Branch ADGP A Ananthakrishnan. The local police in Kollam have already registered a case, which would be handed over to the crime branch. 2. 35 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Air India One has landed in Thiruvananthapuram. He will head straight to the medical college where those injured in today’s fire are being treated. A team of about 15 doctors including burn specialists accompanied the PM and will be assisting at the hospitals.
2. 35 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Air India One has landed in Thiruvananthapuram. He will head straight to the medical college where those injured in today’s fire are being treated. A team of about 15 doctors including burn specialists accompanied the PM and will be assisting at the hospitals.
2.20 pm: MoS Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman has said she has instructed Chief Controller of Explosives (PESO) to rush to Kollam site to check on legal and illegal storage and use of firecrackers, explosives. 1.05 pm: Here’s the Navy’s sitrep.
1.05 pm: Here’s the Navy’s sitrep.
12. 45 pm: Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Kollam, Chandy said sufficient medical facilities were available, and that the government was providing best medical care to all the injured. “Meeting state cabinet today, we will discuss and then take a decision on judicial probe. The central government has already offered medical assistance, but we’re fully equipped, arrangements are good,” Chandy said.
12.22 pm: Indian Navy’s dornier aircraft has arrived in Kollam.
12.05 pm: BJP chief Amit Shah arrived in Thiruvananthapuram and visited the injured at the medical hospital. He also announced the government’s compensation package that PM Modi had tweeted about earlier.
12.00 pm: The Kerala government has ordered a judicial probe into the fire incident, saying anyone found injured will not be spared. 11.25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Kerala - See more at.
11.25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Kerala.
A team of doctors are also travelling with PM Modi
11.12 am: The death toll has increased to 105, over 300 are injured.
10. 52 am: Manorama News reports that the fireworks contractor is also dead. He is reportedly a resident of Kazhakootam in Thiruvananthapuram district.
10.50 am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences: “News of the devastating fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala is extremely shocking. My prayers are with the families of those who’ve lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. Spoke to CM Oommen Chandyji to ensure that adequate relief, medical care and assistance is being provided to the injured at the earliest.”
10.40 am: The Navy, too, is providing all possible assistance. INS Kabra and INS Kalpeni, with medical stores, will sail to Kollam shortly. INS Sunayna will also arrive later. One additional Dornier and two Chetaks are also being pressed in by the Navy.
10.36 am: The IAF choppers – that have been pressed into service – have been requisitioned by the state government, and will be operating from Trivandrum. One Dornier and two ALH are being sent from Garuda Naval air base, Kochi along with medical teams.
10.30 am: A ten-member team from Karnataka will leave for Kollam with paramedics, doctors and medicines. Karnataka health minister has said that they have asked the team to purchase medicines directly and that the government will will foot the bill.
10.10 am: The death toll has now risen to 102, DGP Kerala confirms
10.00 am: A team of burn specialist doctors will also be arriving in Kerala soon. They are travelling with Prime Minister Modi from Kerala.
9.50 am: CM Oommen Chandy has convened an urgent cabinet meeting at 3 pm in Kollam. 9. 40 am: PM Modi has announced Rs two lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of dead, and Rs 50,000 to those injured. 9.20 am: BJP president Amit Shah has cancelled all his public programs scheduled in Kerala for the day. He will visit Kollam later this evening. 9.12 am: Here’s the document showing the temple had been denied permission to organise the fireworks. The district administration had banned fire works citing safety norms. The order reads: “On the basis of the inquiry following the application, the district administration refuses permission to hold a competitive fireworks display. Those violating this ban will be prosecuted under the Explosives Act.”
9. 40 am: PM Modi has announced Rs two lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of dead, and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
9.20 am: BJP president Amit Shah has cancelled all his public programs scheduled in Kerala for the day. He will visit Kollam later this evening.
9.12 am: Here’s the document showing the temple had been denied permission to organise the fireworks. The district administration had banned fire works citing safety norms. The order reads: “On the basis of the inquiry following the application, the district administration refuses permission to hold a competitive fireworks display. Those violating this ban will be prosecuted under the Explosives Act.”
9.03 am: Mi17s pressed into service
9.00 am: “Rescue operation at the mishap spot is over… The next main focus of the government is to provide best treatment to the injured,” Kerala CM Chandy said, adding that “this is an unprecedented and alarming situation.”
8.47 am: EC has given its nod to Kerala Chief Secretary to disburse financial assistance to the victims.
8. 40 am: Police have registered cases against the firework organisers as well as the temple administration. The fireworks at the temple was organised by two contractors. The tragedy happened when the show by the second contractor was going on.
8.38 am: Health Minister V S Sivakumar said the government will offer treatment to the injured free of cost in private hospitals as well. Several victims admitted in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College have suffered fractures, which indicate they could have possibly got injured in a stampede that followed the tragedy. Besides, many were injured when concrete blocks from the collapsed building fell on them.
8.35 am: “Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and prayers with the injured,” PM Modi tweeted, adding that he spoke to CM Chandy about the fire and has arranged for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter.
8.30 am: CM Oommen Chandy has spoken to Union Home Minster Rajnath Singh. Chandy has sought assistance from the central government and wants helicopters to help transfer the injured.
8.20 am: A woman residing near the Puttingal Devi temple had obtained a stay against the fireworks show at the temple. But the district authorities allowed the show after obtaining an assurance from the temple authorities that the fireworks would be limited to only a ritualistic level.
8. 13 am: According to reports, the local administration’s stay on the fireworks contest came after residents of houses near the temple complained. These houses have been damaged to a large extent after the explosion.
8.10 am: Kerala Chief Secretary has asked the Election Commission for permission to release financial assistance to the victims, Kerala CMO has told The Indian Express. With polls scheduled to be held on May 16, the EC has imposed a code of conduct in the state wherein the government is restricted in its expenditure.
8.00 am: An eyewitness said most injuries and death were caused when the explosion took place inside the fireworks storage room which was made of concrete. “A lot of people were hit by debris from the building,” a local resident told Manorama News.
7.50 am: The fireworks display forms an important part of celebrations at the temple. Traditionally, there is even a competitive fireworks show organised at the temple. However, this year there was no competition, probably because of the local administration’s restrictions.
7.42 am: Local reports coming in also say that window panes of houses within a 1-km radius have been shattered.
7.40 am: The building collapse is being seen as one of the main reasons for such a high casualty rate.
7.32 am: The building of the Devaswom Board, which runs temples in Kerala, collapsed due to the impact. Many people at the spot complained of bleeding from their ears.
7.30 am: The death toll is now at 84, Kerala DGP Senkumar has told The Indian Express.
7.24 am: Local media channels report that the temple authorities went ahead with the fireworks display despite a warning from the local administration.
7.00 am: The death toll is now at 70, K Lalji, ACP, Kollam district has said, adding that over 200 people were injured. “The situation is now under control, the DGP is also here,” he said, adding that the rescue operations were still underway.
6.52 am: Home Minister Chennithala has said that a judicial inquiry will be ordered into the fire and that the Chief Minister will be at the site around noon. He also said the government will announce compensation for families of those dead as well as the injured.
6.50 am: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the DGP has been asked to rush to the site and he will coordinate all rescue efforts. “The temple holds an annual firework display every year. We’re doing our best to rescue those still trapped.”
6.46 am: Asianet reports that the police had not given permission for the use of fireworks.
6.42 am: The fire at the temple site has been brought under control.
6.40 am: CM Oommen Chandy, state ministers have rushed to the site.
6.35 am: Victims have been rushed to a local hospital in Kollam while those in a much serious condition have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram.
6:23 am: Kollam ACP K Lalji to ANI, 60 people have died more than 200 injured in Puttingal temple in Paravoor in Kerala’s Kollam district.
More details are awaited.
Source: The Indian Express
A huge fire broke out at Puttingal temple at Paravaur (Kollam District), Kerala early Sunday morning leaving at least 105 people dead and over a hundred injured, local media said quoting police officials. The fire took place at around 3.30 am this morning. According to reports, the fire could have been caused due to a blast in the firework stockpile, readied for the temple celebrations. The police had earlier warned temple authorities to restrict usage of fireworks.
Emergency numbers: 0474-2512344, 9497930863, 9497960778
LIVE UPDATES – KERALA FIRE:
2:50 pm: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy chaired a cabinet meeting in Kollam to order a probe led by Crime Branch ADGP A Ananthakrishnan. The local police in Kollam have already registered a case, which would be handed over to the crime branch. 2. 35 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Air India One has landed in Thiruvananthapuram. He will head straight to the medical college where those injured in today’s fire are being treated. A team of about 15 doctors including burn specialists accompanied the PM and will be assisting at the hospitals.
2. 35 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Air India One has landed in Thiruvananthapuram. He will head straight to the medical college where those injured in today’s fire are being treated. A team of about 15 doctors including burn specialists accompanied the PM and will be assisting at the hospitals.
2.20 pm: MoS Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman has said she has instructed Chief Controller of Explosives (PESO) to rush to Kollam site to check on legal and illegal storage and use of firecrackers, explosives. 1.05 pm: Here’s the Navy’s sitrep.
1.05 pm: Here’s the Navy’s sitrep.
12. 45 pm: Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Kollam, Chandy said sufficient medical facilities were available, and that the government was providing best medical care to all the injured. “Meeting state cabinet today, we will discuss and then take a decision on judicial probe. The central government has already offered medical assistance, but we’re fully equipped, arrangements are good,” Chandy said.
12.22 pm: Indian Navy’s dornier aircraft has arrived in Kollam.
12.05 pm: BJP chief Amit Shah arrived in Thiruvananthapuram and visited the injured at the medical hospital. He also announced the government’s compensation package that PM Modi had tweeted about earlier.
12.00 pm: The Kerala government has ordered a judicial probe into the fire incident, saying anyone found injured will not be spared. 11.25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Kerala - See more at.
11.25 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Kerala.
A team of doctors are also travelling with PM Modi
11.12 am: The death toll has increased to 105, over 300 are injured.
10. 52 am: Manorama News reports that the fireworks contractor is also dead. He is reportedly a resident of Kazhakootam in Thiruvananthapuram district.
10.50 am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences: “News of the devastating fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala is extremely shocking. My prayers are with the families of those who’ve lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. Spoke to CM Oommen Chandyji to ensure that adequate relief, medical care and assistance is being provided to the injured at the earliest.”
10.40 am: The Navy, too, is providing all possible assistance. INS Kabra and INS Kalpeni, with medical stores, will sail to Kollam shortly. INS Sunayna will also arrive later. One additional Dornier and two Chetaks are also being pressed in by the Navy.
10.36 am: The IAF choppers – that have been pressed into service – have been requisitioned by the state government, and will be operating from Trivandrum. One Dornier and two ALH are being sent from Garuda Naval air base, Kochi along with medical teams.
10.30 am: A ten-member team from Karnataka will leave for Kollam with paramedics, doctors and medicines. Karnataka health minister has said that they have asked the team to purchase medicines directly and that the government will will foot the bill.
10.10 am: The death toll has now risen to 102, DGP Kerala confirms
10.00 am: A team of burn specialist doctors will also be arriving in Kerala soon. They are travelling with Prime Minister Modi from Kerala.
9.50 am: CM Oommen Chandy has convened an urgent cabinet meeting at 3 pm in Kollam. 9. 40 am: PM Modi has announced Rs two lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of dead, and Rs 50,000 to those injured. 9.20 am: BJP president Amit Shah has cancelled all his public programs scheduled in Kerala for the day. He will visit Kollam later this evening. 9.12 am: Here’s the document showing the temple had been denied permission to organise the fireworks. The district administration had banned fire works citing safety norms. The order reads: “On the basis of the inquiry following the application, the district administration refuses permission to hold a competitive fireworks display. Those violating this ban will be prosecuted under the Explosives Act.”
9. 40 am: PM Modi has announced Rs two lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of dead, and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
9.20 am: BJP president Amit Shah has cancelled all his public programs scheduled in Kerala for the day. He will visit Kollam later this evening.
9.12 am: Here’s the document showing the temple had been denied permission to organise the fireworks. The district administration had banned fire works citing safety norms. The order reads: “On the basis of the inquiry following the application, the district administration refuses permission to hold a competitive fireworks display. Those violating this ban will be prosecuted under the Explosives Act.”
9.03 am: Mi17s pressed into service
9.00 am: “Rescue operation at the mishap spot is over… The next main focus of the government is to provide best treatment to the injured,” Kerala CM Chandy said, adding that “this is an unprecedented and alarming situation.”
8.47 am: EC has given its nod to Kerala Chief Secretary to disburse financial assistance to the victims.
8. 40 am: Police have registered cases against the firework organisers as well as the temple administration. The fireworks at the temple was organised by two contractors. The tragedy happened when the show by the second contractor was going on.
8.38 am: Health Minister V S Sivakumar said the government will offer treatment to the injured free of cost in private hospitals as well. Several victims admitted in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College have suffered fractures, which indicate they could have possibly got injured in a stampede that followed the tragedy. Besides, many were injured when concrete blocks from the collapsed building fell on them.
8.35 am: “Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased and prayers with the injured,” PM Modi tweeted, adding that he spoke to CM Chandy about the fire and has arranged for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter.
8.30 am: CM Oommen Chandy has spoken to Union Home Minster Rajnath Singh. Chandy has sought assistance from the central government and wants helicopters to help transfer the injured.
8.20 am: A woman residing near the Puttingal Devi temple had obtained a stay against the fireworks show at the temple. But the district authorities allowed the show after obtaining an assurance from the temple authorities that the fireworks would be limited to only a ritualistic level.
8. 13 am: According to reports, the local administration’s stay on the fireworks contest came after residents of houses near the temple complained. These houses have been damaged to a large extent after the explosion.
8.10 am: Kerala Chief Secretary has asked the Election Commission for permission to release financial assistance to the victims, Kerala CMO has told The Indian Express. With polls scheduled to be held on May 16, the EC has imposed a code of conduct in the state wherein the government is restricted in its expenditure.
8.00 am: An eyewitness said most injuries and death were caused when the explosion took place inside the fireworks storage room which was made of concrete. “A lot of people were hit by debris from the building,” a local resident told Manorama News.
7.50 am: The fireworks display forms an important part of celebrations at the temple. Traditionally, there is even a competitive fireworks show organised at the temple. However, this year there was no competition, probably because of the local administration’s restrictions.
7.42 am: Local reports coming in also say that window panes of houses within a 1-km radius have been shattered.
7.40 am: The building collapse is being seen as one of the main reasons for such a high casualty rate.
7.32 am: The building of the Devaswom Board, which runs temples in Kerala, collapsed due to the impact. Many people at the spot complained of bleeding from their ears.
7.30 am: The death toll is now at 84, Kerala DGP Senkumar has told The Indian Express.
7.24 am: Local media channels report that the temple authorities went ahead with the fireworks display despite a warning from the local administration.
7.00 am: The death toll is now at 70, K Lalji, ACP, Kollam district has said, adding that over 200 people were injured. “The situation is now under control, the DGP is also here,” he said, adding that the rescue operations were still underway.
6.52 am: Home Minister Chennithala has said that a judicial inquiry will be ordered into the fire and that the Chief Minister will be at the site around noon. He also said the government will announce compensation for families of those dead as well as the injured.
6.50 am: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the DGP has been asked to rush to the site and he will coordinate all rescue efforts. “The temple holds an annual firework display every year. We’re doing our best to rescue those still trapped.”
6.46 am: Asianet reports that the police had not given permission for the use of fireworks.
6.42 am: The fire at the temple site has been brought under control.
6.40 am: CM Oommen Chandy, state ministers have rushed to the site.
6.35 am: Victims have been rushed to a local hospital in Kollam while those in a much serious condition have been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram.
6:23 am: Kollam ACP K Lalji to ANI, 60 people have died more than 200 injured in Puttingal temple in Paravoor in Kerala’s Kollam district.
More details are awaited.
Source: The Indian Express
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