Puttingal temple fire

Last updated

Puttingal temple fire
purrrringng[?] deevi ksseetrN.jpg
Puttingal Devi Temple in 2008
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Puttingal Temple
India Kerala location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Puttingal Temple
Date10 April 2016
Time03:30 IST (22:00 UTC on April 9)
Location Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, India
Coordinates 8°48′45″N76°39′52″E / 8.8126°N 76.6644°E / 8.8126; 76.6644
Cause Fireworks accident
Deaths111 [1]
Non-fatal injuries350+
A collapsed concrete building in Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple premises after the fireworks mishap Collapsed building during Paravur Puttingal Temple mishap, Apr 2016.jpg
A collapsed concrete building in Paravur Puttingal Devi Temple premises after the fireworks mishap

On 10 April 2016 at approximately 03:30 AM IST, [lower-alpha 1] the Puttingal Temple in Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, India, experienced a fireworks accident after firework celebrations went awry. As a result, 111 people were killed [1] and more than 350 were injured, including some with severe burns. [2] The temple and at least 150 houses in the area of the temple were damaged by the blast. [3] According to local reports and eyewitnesses, [2] the explosion and fire were caused by sparks from a firecracker [2] being used in a competitive fireworks display igniting fireworks in a concrete storehouse. [2] [4] About 15,000 pilgrims were visiting the temple to mark local Hindu celebrations during the last day of a seven-day festival of the goddess Bhadrakali. [5]

Contents

On 13 April, in the aftermath of the event, the Kerala High Court banned the display after sunset of sound-emitting firecrackers in all places of worship in the state. [6]

This was the second major firework disaster reported in the news within southern India in recent years, after the Sivakasi factory explosion in the state of Tamil Nadu on 5 September 2012. [7] The shrine is administered by a private trust. [8]

Background

Temples in southern India often have festivals with displays of fireworks and firecrackers to appease the female deity. Annual competitions are staged across the state of Kerala for the most spectacular displays. In 1952, 68 people were killed after a firecracker explosion at Sabarimala temple. [9]

On 10 April 2016, two groups of devotees set off fireworks while thousands participated in the festival at Puttingal temple. [9] The temple's authorities told police that they had verbal permission from the district authorities. [9] On 12 April, they revealed that, due to safety concerns, the temple had been denied permission, but it proceeded due to pressure from the people. [10] [11]

Fire

The fire took place at approximately 03:30 IST (22:00 UTC) when an explosion occurred in a stash of firecrackers stored in the temple for upcoming Vishu celebrations. [12] The fireworks involved in this fireworks accident was known locally as Amittu, which fell into the stash after being lit during the firework celebrations. [13] The explosion caused the storage building and adjacent office building to collapse leading to most of the casualties. [14] The blast was felt by people living more than a kilometer away from the temple. [2] [14]

Recovery

The Indian Navy dispatched one Dornier 228 transport aircraft and two helicopters for rescue transport along with medical teams from Headquarters Southern Naval Command (HQSNC), Indian naval air station located in Kochi. [15] The Indian Air Force, Army and Coast Guard were also involved.

The majority of the victims were taken to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. [16]

Investigation

An investigation was ordered by Ramesh Chennithala, the Home Minister of Kerala. [14] The police plans to take action against the display contractors and the temple administration. [14] On 11 April 2016, five men who worked at the temple were taken into police custody for questioning. [17] During the night of 11 April and into 12 April, the police arrested a further seven people connected with Puttingal temple, including the president. [10] The Government of India took cognizance of the fateful event and appointed DR.A.K.Yadav, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization(PESO) as the inquiry officer vide Government of India order No: 31(03)/2016 -Expl dated 22/04/2016 under section 9(A) of Explosives Act,1884. Dr.R.Venugopal, Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Hyderabad, Dr.K.B.Radhakrishnan, Professor & Head Department of Chemical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering and Shri.G.M Reddy, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives (Retired), PESO were appointed as Assessors in Inquiry by the Government of India . The Inquiry officer issued public notices and press releases regarding the inquiry in leading news papers. Conducted its proceedings by visiting the site of accident, sittings at paravoor and Kollam. The Inquiry commission submitted its report on time The immediate and proximate causes of accident in the report are conducting display without a valid licence by the paravur puttingal dewasom managing committee, Non maintenance of safety distance as required under Explosives Rules 2008 between display site and spectators, use of unauthorized fireworks for display, storage of unauthorized fireworks, Absence of crowd control mechanism, use of prohibited chemicals in the manufacture of display fireworks.

Reactions

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter that the accident was "heart-rending and shocking beyond words" [18] and that he was on his way to visit the area later in the afternoon, as was Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy. [19] Kerala state home minister Ramesh Chennithala visited the disaster site. [14] Political parties postponed campaigning for the election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly out of respect. [14] Neighbouring Karnataka offered to send a team but was turned down as Kerala apparently had the requirements.

Modi announced ₹2 lakh (US$2,500) ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 (US$630) to critically injured people. [20] Oommen Chandy announced ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh (US$13,000) to relatives of each of those killed in fire tragedy, ₹2 lakh (US$2,500) for seriously injured.

In the wake of the disaster, the Kerala Disaster Management Authority decided to re-examine the disaster preparedness of the Thrissur Pooram. [21] The Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy said that "Permission was never taken for the storage of fireworks inside the Temple." [22]

Movie

Based on this incident as a backdrop, a Malayalam film named Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri was released in 2018 starring Suraj Venjaramoodu.

Notes

  1. ↑ 9 April, 22:00 UTC


See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firecracker</span> Small explosive meant to produce noise

A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound. Firecrackers, along with fireworks, originated in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oommen Chandy</span> 10th Chief Minister of Kerala (1943–2023)

Oommen Chandy was the 10th chief minister of Kerala, serving from 2004 to 2006 and 2011 to 2016. He served also as the leader of the opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011.

Paravur is a municipality in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. Paravur is located 11.6 km (7.2 mi) southeast of the Kollam city centre, and is a part of the Kollam metropolitan area. Paravur railway station is the last station in Kollam district which is on the route to Trivandrum while travelling towards South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Democratic Front (Kerala)</span> Congress-led alliance in Kerala, India

The United Democratic Front (UDF) is the Indian National Congress-led alliance of centre to centre-right political parties in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the two major political alliances in Kerala, the other being Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front, each of which has been in power alternately since 1980 E. K. Nayanar ministry. Most of the United Democratic Front constituents are members of the Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance at pan-India level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puttingal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Puttingal Temple is a Hindu temple in the coastal town of Paravur, India. The temple was founded after the presence of the goddess was experienced on an ant hill with Puttu being the Malayalam word for ant Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Oommen Chandy ministry</span> Period in Indian politics, 2011–2016

The United Democratic Front government led by Oommen Chandy sworn in on 18 May 2011. Seven of the total 20 members of the Cabinet took office on 18 May and the rest sworn in on 23 May after completing discussion with member parties of the UDF.

The 2012 Sivakasi factory explosion was an explosion at the Om Sakthi Fireworks Industries fireworks factory in Sivakasi, India, on 5 September 2012. 40 people were killed and more than 70 injured. The tragedy occurred in a fireworks factory which did not have a valid licence.

Kerala Seaplane was a commercial seaplane service promoted by Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited in the Indian state of Kerala. It was launched on 2 June 2013 at Kollam with the inaugural flight being operated by Kairali Aviation. However, commercial operations could not start due to opposition from the local fishing community. The Kerala Government was keen on restarting regular operations of the project in 2014. The service was to be the first such service in mainland India, and the second in India after Jal Hans, which operates seaplanes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Work on the Kerala seaplane project began at the end of July, 2012 and has been praised for being one of the fastest projects to be completed in Kerala.

The 2013 Kerala solar panel scam occurred in 2013, when a solar energy company, Team Solar, in Kerala, India, used two women to create political contacts with links including to the Chief Minister's office. The company duped several influential people to the tune of 70 lakhs, by offering to make them business partners, or by offering to install solar power units for them, and receiving advance payments for the same. Team Solar was unsuccessful in lobbying Kerala Govt to get their firm included in ANERT programmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paravur railway station</span> Railway station in Paravur, Kollam

Paravur railway station is an NSG–5 category Indian railway station in Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway zone. It is a railway station in the Indian municipal town of Paravur in Kollam district, Kerala. Paravur railway station was formerly a D-class railway station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kollam Bypass</span> NH bypass in Kerala

Kollam Bypass is a part of NH 66 that bypasses CBD of Kollam city in Kerala, India. The busy 13.141 km long bypass starts at Mevaram in the south to Kavanad in the north, via Ayathil, Kallumthazham, Kadavoor and Kureepuzha in Kollam city. It is a joint venture between the central and state government. It was inaugurated on 15 January 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kollam Development Authority</span>

Kollam Development Authority (KDA) was an autonomous statutory body overseeing the development of the City of Kollam in the state of Kerala, India. KDA was the responsible body for the planning and development of the major parts of Kollam urban area which consists of the City corporation of Kollam and its surrounding areas like Eravipuram, Sakthikulangara, Neendakara, Uliyakovil, Anchalumoodu, Kottiyam etc. KDA was one of the 5 significant city development authorities in Kerala which gained in significance because of the importance of the City of Kollam as the emerging 'Port City of Kerala'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government Medical College, Kollam</span> Hospital in Kerala, India

Government Medical College, Kollam, formerly ESIC Medical College, Parippally, is the first Government medical college in Kollam district, Kerala, India. It is situated 21 km (13 mi) south of Kollam city and 9.6 km (6.0 mi) east of Paravur town. The College was initially established by the Employees State Insurance Corporation, a Government of India establishment, and later acquired by the Government of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paravur Municipal Bus Stand</span>

Paravur Municipal Bus Stand or Paravur Private Bus Stand is the one and only bus stand in Paravur municipal town of Kollam district, Kerala. The bus stand construction project was implemented by the Municipal council of Paravur before some years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction</span>

The Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction Kollam or IIIC-Kollam is a public institute of international standard situated at Chavara in Kollam, Kerala. The initiative has been undertaken by the Government of Kerala with the support of the Government of India. The academy is coming under the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE) to support the skill development programmes for construction related occupations

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala Maritime Institute</span>

Kerala Maritime Institute is a premier institute for Maritime education in the state established by the Government of Kerala at Neendakara in Kollam city, India. The institute was created by the Port Department of Kerala state to give quality training for students in Kerala. The campus is located on 10 acres of land attached to the Neendakara Port. More than 5,000 students have been trained at Neendakara maritime institute under the Boat Crew training programme. The institute has played a major role in reducing the number of state-wide inland navigation accidents. The headquarters of the institute is at Neendakara.

The Chala LPG tanker disaster was a road transport accident that occurred on August 27, 2012, on Indian National Highway 17 at Chala in the Kannur District of India's Kerala State. The accident occurred when an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) LPG road tanker hit a road lane divider, overturned and exploded, starting several building fires between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. The accident killed 20 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 in Kerala</span> List of events

Events in the year 2016 in Kerala

The Malanada firework disaster was a disaster in which 33 people lost their lives after a fire broke out in the Malanada temple at Poruvazhy in Kollam district, Kerala, India, on 23 March 1990. An electric spark in the place where the fireworks where stored caused the explosion. At a distance of 1.5 kilometres from Malanada, human remains of the victims were thrown up to Edakkad market. All the buildings around the temple were destroyed.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kollam temple fire: Death toll reaches 111, 40 badly wounded". Times of India. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Nair, C. Gouridasan; Pereira, Ignatius (10 April 2016). "Live–Kollam temple fire: 106 dead; PM Modi reaches site". The Hindu . Kollam. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Reuters Editorial (12 April 2016). "Indian court bans use of high-decibel crackers after temple fireworks blaze kills 110". Reuters.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ↑ Vidyadharan, Sovi. "Over 100 Dead, 350 Injured in Kerala Temple Firework Mishap". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "As it happened: 110 dead in Kerala temple fire, Modi meets CM Chandy". HindustanTimes.com/. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Kerala HC bans noise-making fireworks between sunrise and sunset". The Indian Express. 13 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Sivakasi fire unit mishap: 36 killed; PM, Sonia express grief". Hindustan Times. 6 September 2012.
  8. ↑ G, Ananthakrishnan (11 April 2016). "Kollam temple fire: Fireworks send concrete missiles flying into homes". ABP News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Qureshi, Imran; Padanna, Ashraf (11 April 2016). "Puttingal: India's 'temple of fireworks'". BBC News. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Puttingal temple fire: Seven officials detained by police". BBC News. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "'Competitive Fireworks' May Have Led To Kollam Temple Fire: 10 Developments". NDTV . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Scores killed in India as fire breaks out at temple in Kollam". The Guardian . 9 April 2016. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Kerala fire tragedy: Temple ignores ban, fireworks show leaves over 100 dead, 400 injured". The Indian Express. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "India Kerala: Temple fireworks blast kills at least 100". BBC News. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Live updates: 102 die in fireworks blast at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala". ManoramaOnline. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  16. ↑ C. Maya (10 April 2016). "Kollam temple fire: Medical College hospital struggles to handle huge influx of victims". The Hindu . Thiruvananthapuram . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "Puttingal temple: Five detained over India fireworks blast". BBC News. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  18. ↑ @narendramodi (10 April 2016). "Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ "Kerala Temple Fire 'Heartrending And Shocking', Will Visit Kollam Soon: PM Modi". NDTV . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Kollam Temple Fire: PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs, to visit site". The Hindu . 10 April 2016. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  21. ↑ K. S. Sudhi (10 April 2016). "Now, disaster-preparedness of Thrissur Pooram to be reviewed". The Hindu . Kochi . Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  22. ↑ Vidhi Doshi (11 April 2016). "Kerala temple fire leaves scores dead after stray firework sparks blasts". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 April 2016.

24. Inquiry Report of the Fireworks Display Accident on 10.04.2016 at Puttingal Devi Temple Premises, Paravur, Kollam District, Kerala. Inquiry officer - Dr.A.K.Yadav, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, Chennai. Assessors in Inquiry : Dr.R.Venugopal, Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Hyderabad, Dr.K.B.Radhakrishnan, Professor & Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala and Mr.G.M.Reddy, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, (Retired), PESO.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.