Alwaght- At least 102 Indians were killed and over 200 others sustained injuries as firecrackers caused a fire at a Hindu temple early Sunday at around 3.30 am (local time).
According to Indian Express, the fire erupted during a fireworks display at the Puttingal temple in the Indian port city of Kollam.
The tragic accident happened a few days before the Vishu festival slated for April 14 in Kerala. The fest marks the Indian New Year and is widely known as the festival of light and fireworks.
According to local media, the fire has been brought under control and the victims have been rushed to a hospital in Kollam, while the critically injured ones were transferred to a hospital in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
The high number of casualties was due to the collapse of the temple building, the Indian Express reports.
"A lot of people were hit by debris from the building,” an eyewitness told Manorama News.
The celebration, widely known as the festival of light and fireworks, traditionally sees an abundance of pyrotechnics displays. Police, however, say the temple had been warned against setting of fireworks before and the site had no permit to do so.
