Nileswaram: Death toll in the cracker explosion at the Anjoottambalam temple touches 4. A 19-year-old youth, who had been undergoing treatment following a firecracker explosion at the Anjootambalam Temple in Kasaragod, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night. Two more individuals who had suffered more than 40 percent burn injuries are under treatment.
The deceased, identified as Shibin Raj, is the latest victim of the tragic accident. The other victims include K Biju of Karinthalam Manjalamkattu, and Ratheesh and Sandeep, both from Kinavoor, Choyamkode.
As per the Kasaragod district administration, 152people were injured in the explosion, with 95 of them admitted to various hospitals. The incident took place late on the night of October 28 at the Veererkavu Anjootambalam Temple near Nileswaram when firecrackers stored in a close vicinity to the ignition point exploded.
Kasaragod District Police Chief D. Shilpa has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to lead the probe. Additionally, the district administration has directed the additional divisional magistrate to conduct an independent inquiry. At the same time, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of the incident and requested detailed reports from both the district collector and police chief.
On October 29, three individuals, including two temple committee officials, were arrested in connection with the incident. They face charges under the Explosive Substances Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The District Sessions Court in Kasaragod has stayed the bail granted to these three accused.
The accused include temple committee president P K Chandrasekharan, secretary K T Bharathan, and P Rajesh, who is alleged to have ignited the firecrackers that led to the explosion.
Meanwhile, senior doctors at the private hospital in Kozhikode where majority of the injured are admitted say that the conditions of most people have improved. Meanwhile, 2 people still remain in ICU at the hospital and their health conditions are closely monitored.
