About The Tragic Kollam Temple Fire So Far

About The Tragic Kollam Temple Fire So Far

Puttingal Temple is a Hindu temple in the coastal town of Paravur, India. The temple was founded after the presence of the goddess was experienced on an ant hill; “Puttu” being the Malayalam word for ant Hill.

The festival of this temple is on the “Bharani” star of Malayalam month Meenam. Fireworks (Matsara Kambam) and other events associated with the festival (Aswathi vilakku, Kathakali, Kampadikali, Marameduppu) take place along with other cultural events.

But this year a major fire engulfed the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi Temple complex near Kollam when more than 10,000 people were watching a display of fireworks on Sunday morning.

Lets know the tragic incident better:

  • At least 110 people have died and 383 others were injured. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals.
  • Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of those killed in fire tragedy, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who termed the incident as “heart-rending” and “shocking”, visited the accident site to personally take stock of the situation and see the injured people.
  • Modi announced Rs 2 lakh each as compensation for the next of the kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.
  • And also Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi visited the accident site accompanied by Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
  • A judicial probe by a retired High Court Judge has been ordered by the state government along with an investigation by crime branch into the tragedy.
  • The tragedy struck around 3.30 am on Sunday during display of fireworks at the temple complex, which is around 70 kms from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
  • The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room ‘Kambapura’, and the fire crackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise, which could be heard over a radius of one kilometre.

 

  • The whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran hurry-scurry.
  • No permission had been granted for any kind of fireworks display.
  • Top officials of the Puttingal Devi temple have reportedly gone missing, reports Hindustan Times.
  • Police sources have informed PTI that a case has been registered against temple authorities and explosive licencees under section 307 (Attempt to murder), and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) of IPC and under section 4 of Explosives Substances Act.

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