NEW DELHI—A massive fire swept through a temple in southern India on Sunday, killing more than 100 people after thousands gathered to watch an illegal fireworks display.
More than 280 others were injured in the fire that engulfed the Hindu temple complex in Kerala state, where crowds had built up during the night for a festival that boasted the fireworks show.
Local residents were photographed carrying the bloodied and injured in their arms from the site, while a man whose bloodied hand was heavily bandaged was seen trying to calm a screaming toddler outside one hospital.
A team of specialist doctors and medicines were being deployed from New Delhi to help with the disaster amid reports of horrific burns suffered by those caught in the blaze at the Puttingal Devi temple.
The navy and air force were also sending helicopters to evacuate the most critically injured, officials also said.
“It has been confirmed that 102 people were killed and 280 injured and admitted to various hospitals. Now our focus is to provide the best treatment to the injured,” Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters.
Firefighters and police had battled through the night at the temple in the coastal town of Paravur to douse the fire and rescue those trapped at the complex.
Television footage showed a series of large explosions and fireworks erupting as plumes of smoke filled the night air after about 3am (2130 GMT Saturday). Concrete rubble and other debris was strewn at the complex at daybreak, while police examined large unexploded bundles of fireworks.
Chandy said temple officials had gone ahead with the fireworks display despite being denied permission because of safety concerns.
“That is correct. District collector of Kollam denied sanction for this fireworks [display],” Chandy said when asked whether permission had been given.
The Kerala government ordered an inquiry into the cause of the disaster. A local lawmaker said it occurred during a fireworks competition between two groups. One firework landed on a building that was storing the rest of the pyrotechnic material, setting off a chain reaction.
“It has happened after 75 percent of the fireworks were [already] burst. It was actually fortunate, otherwise the casualties would have been much, much, much more,” N.K. Premachandran, state MP for Kollam district where the accident occurred, told the NDTV network.