Live | Kerala Temple Fire: Extent of the tragedy is unimaginable and dreadful, says PM Modi
At least 102 people are dead while over 380 injured in the blaze. The state government has said that no permission was granted for any kind of fireworks and has ordered judicial enquiry.
At least 102 people were killed and 380 others injured when an explosion took place at the Puttingal Devi temple during a festival at Paravoor here at around 3 am on Sunday morning.
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, police said.
A massive effort was launched to rescue the people from the inferno and shift the injured people to hospitals, with the Navy and the Air Force pressing into service six helicopters and one Dornier aircraft.
Speaking to media, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said ,"We have ordered a judicial enquiry on the temple tragedy, will get the report within 6 months."
The District Collector A Shainamol said "no permission for any kind of fireworks" was given.
She said the temple authorities had asked for permission to conduct competitive fireworks which was denied. For normal fireworks, no permission was sought and hence there was no question of granting it, the DC said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured."
Injured people have been rushed to Trivandrum Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram. Some with minor injuries have been admitted to different hospitals at Meeyapuram and Kottiyam.
(Developing story)
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At least 102 people are dead while over 380 injured in the blaze. The state government has said that no permission was granted for any kind of fireworks and has ordered judicial enquiry.
1 Dornier and 2 ALH will be deployed in consultation with local administrative authorities. Two medical teams have been rushed from Trivandrum to Kollam.
After visiting the injured, PM Modi told the media, "I visited the site and the hospital today, my sympathies are with the kin of the deceased persons. I have told CM that Govt of India will help if patients need to be shifted to Mumbai or Delhi. Government of India stands with the people of Kerala, we will help them in the best way possible."
He further said, "Difficult to express the painful accident in Puttingal, people at a distance of 200 metres got injured."
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes an on-the-spot assessment of fire tragedy at Puttingal temple in #Kollam.https://t.co/aPKCCJhhyk
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
We are happy that they (PM Modi) are coming to Kerala to share our grief. We have ordered a judicial enquiry on the tragedy, will get the report within 6 months: CM Oommen Chandy.
PM Narendra Modi boards IAF chopper in Thiruvananthapuram, departs for #Kollam
Chandy satisfied with rescue operations, assures medical assistance
Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, who visited the Puttingal temple following a massive fire that broke out this morning, appeared satisfied with the ongoing rescue operations and assured medical assistance to those injured in the unfortunate incident.
"We have adequate medical facilities to cater the current need. We have also asked the family of the injured to tell us in which hospital do they want their relatives to be treated, we will try and do the needful," Chandy told the media.
ICG Ship C-427 loaded with medical team arrives in Kerala's Kollam. (Pic source: ICG)
Team of 15 doctors from Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia hospital put in service
Union Health Minister J P Nadda said, "The incident is very shocking and tragic. I am rushing to the spot....The injured are being taken to hospitals of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
"Team of 15 doctors of Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital are put in service. They are coming to Kerala. We are also sending medicines from Delhi and at the same time we are ensuring there should be no shortage of medicine as well. Team of doctors will reach by the afternoon," Nadda said.
Pics of Navy ALH & Dornier involved in Kerala temple fire rescue. Air Force & Army also helping out.
Amit Shah visits victims
BJP chief Amit shah visited Trivandrum Medical College and met injured persons.
Shah also had interaction with doctors.
# Congress says 'Kerala government has decided to order a judicial enquiry into Puttingal temple fire tragedy'.
# Anyone found guilty will be suitably punished.
PM leaves for Kerala to take stock of situation arising due to fire incident; A team of doctors including burn specialists accompanying him.
Aftermath of massive fire at Puttingal temple in #Kollam (Kerala)
#Spotvisuals from Kollam
Unexploded fire-crackers were found in Kolam
# Prime Minister Modi is taking a team of doctors specialising in treating burn injuries along with him.
# Modi will be directly landing in the town where the mishap took place.
# All protocol including the Governor and the Chief Minister receiving the Prime Minster at the helipad has been waived.
# Modi has directed IAF and Navy to divert all helicopters in the command for ferrying injured to major hospitals in nearby cities.
Police sources said 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. - PTI
Update: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of deceased and Rs 50000 to critically injured, government Spokesperson to ANI.
Helpline numbers: 0474 2512344, 9497960778, 9497930869
Update:
# National Disaster Response Force is being sent to Kerala to assist the local administration.
# Rescue operations by Air Force underway. 4 helicopters including Mi-17 &ALH from Sulur (Coimbatore) being used.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter to express his condolences to the victims.
PM Modi said, "Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured."
Stating that he has spoken to CM Oommen Chandy about the fire at a temple in Kollam, he added, "Arranging for immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter."
"Have also asked my Cabinet colleague & Health Minister JP Nadda to immediately reach the site of the fire tragedy in Kollam," Modi said in a series of tweets.
The State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct, said CM Oommen Chandy.
We are giving all possible support to the injured people. Injured people have been admitted to Trivandrum medical college & 13 dead bodies have been brought here: Kerala Health Minister VS Sivakumar
WATCH: Moment when fire broke at Puttingal temple fire in Kollam (Kerala) due to fireworks display, 75 dead.https://t.co/xXtBnZkgWX
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 10, 2016
Update: Death toll has risen to 75, over 200 injured
According to India Today, the fire is believed to have occurred around 3:30 AM during festivities including fire crackers. CM Oommen Chandy and HM Ramesh Chennithala will visit the spot later in the day. The injured are being rushed to Trivandrum Medical College and Kollam General Hospital.
Kollam ACP K Lalji to ANI, 60 people have died more than 200 injured in Puttingal temple in Paravoor in Kerala's Kollam district