110 people killed in Kollam temple fire

Kerala government has 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. 

Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 110 in the fire tragedy near Kollam during a display of fireworks on Saturday night. Over 380 were injured in the incident. Quoting sources, AIR correspondent reports that at least 60 bodies have been identified. The Kerala Chief Minister said, postmortem is going on and bodies will be handed over to the relatives at the earliest. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday visited the Temple and took stock of the situation arising out of fire tragedy. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State



Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala briefed him about the incident. Mr. Modi later visited the Kollam District hospital to see the injured people.

Talking to media persons, Mr. Modi said, in this hour of crisis, the Central Government is ready to extend all help to Kerala Government and the people of the state. Union Health Ministry yesterday sent a team of 25 doctors and para-medics to assist in relief work in Kollam. Some of the specialists had gone with the Prime Minister while others headed for the site with necessary medicines. 

The fire tragedy is likely to cast shadow over Kerala’s famous Thrissur Pooram in which display of fireworks is a major attraction. Major temples in Kollam have since given up fire display in their annual festivities. Kerala has witnessed a series of fireworks tragedies in the past.