Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly 12 hours after the horrific fire mishap that took place at the Veerarkavu temple in Nileswaram, the Kerala government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a fire accident that injured over 154 people. The accident, which happened late Monday night, was triggered by an explosion of firecrackers stored near the site where the ignition point was placed.
A case has been registered under the Explosive Substance Act and sections of the BNS, with eight temple committee members booked. Officials have revealed that initial findings indicate a lack of compliance with safety regulations, as firecrackers were ignited close to their storage area without required permission and the necessary protocols.
As per the latest information, 8 people are still in ICU with grievous injuries and the condition of one person remain extremely critical.
As the fireworks exploded, chaos ensued, with attendees, including women and children, scrambling for safety. Mobile footage aired on local television and from the mobile recordings of the onlookers present at the spot, a huge ball of fire erupted forcing many to escape from the spot. Most of the injuries reported from the hospitals are due to the stampede and not exactly the burn injuries.
The District Collector, on Tuesday, said that those who were seriously injured had 80 per cent burns. A case has been registered. Samples have been collected from the site, he added.
He further said that according to a preliminary probe, the fireworks storage facility and the place where the crackers were being burst were close by.
“The safety precautions were not taken. The requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters between the two was not followed. No permission was taken either for storage of fireworks,” he added.
