Kollam: More than 100 people were killed and 280 injured when a major fire broke out in the Puttingal Devi Temple complex at nearby Paravoor early on 10th April, 2016 when sparks emanating from a fireworks display ignited a store room filled with crackers and pyrotechnic material.

The figures were confirmed by Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oomen Chandy. Those injured in the tragedy have been rushed to Trivandrum Medical College.Offering his deep condolences to the deceased and their families, Chandy announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of those killed and Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured.

As the temple festival was on, fireworks display had commenced at the temple precincts since midnight and hundreds of people had gathered to watch the show.As the fireworks and pyrotechnics display was coming to a close at 3 AM, an explosion is suspected to have occurred at the storeroom ‘Kambapuram’ filled with crackers and pyrotechnics materials.

Thousands of people had gathered at the temple precincts to witness the fireworks display which were on since midnight when the fire broke out.The whole area plunged into darkness as the power supply went off and people ran helter skelter.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

Chandy, who was on an election tour, has cancelled all his programmes to rush to the accident site.

Asked about the death toll, the Chief Minister said the number would go up as reports are pouring in from different hospitals, where the injured have been admitted. The government would extend treatment facilities to the injured persons in the hospitals preferred by their relatives, he said.

Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi has expressed deep shock and grief at the tragic incident of deaths caused by fire at Puttingal temple in Kollam. Praying for the departed souls and well being of the injured, Smt. Gandhi has asked the Government to ensure ample and immediate relief measures. In a letter to Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Oomen Chandy and said “I write to you in this hour of devastating tragedy that has taken more than a hundred lives and injured many more, to reiterate my grief and concern. The Congress Party, as indeed the entire nation, stands with the people of Kerala today.

I am certain, that as discussed with you earlier over phone, the Government of Kerala is ensuring all possible relief measures in terms of medical treatment, emergency protocols and compensation.

Providing medical relief, financial assistance and bringing the guilty to book immediately will, I am sure, be a priority, and will be ensured without delay.

I pray for the peace of the departed souls and the well-being and speedy recovery of the injured”.

Congress Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi alongwith State Home Minister Shri Ramesh Chennithala, Shri A.K. Antony and other senior leaders has visited the hospitals and met the victims of the tragic incident. Earlier in message by him said “News of the devastating fire at Puttingal temple, in Kollam, Kerala is extremely shocking. My prayers are with the families of those who’ve lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy”.