Over 150 injured in India temple firework explosion

INDIAN police detained two individuals on Tuesday following an explosion at a temple fireworks display that left nearly a hundred people in hospital, with eight reported in critical condition.

The incident occurred Monday evening at a Hindu temple in Nileshwaram, Kerala, where hundreds had gathered to watch the fireworks display. Videos shared by Indian news outlets show a crowd around the temple, followed by a sudden burst of sparks from within a building before a large fireball shot into the sky.

"About eight people are critical, and around 154 have been reported injured, of which 97 people are admitted to the hospital," said Shilpa Dyavaiah, the local police chief, speaking to AFP.

"They burst firecrackers very close to where the firecrackers were stored," Dyavaiah added, noting that sparks from the initial crackers ignited the larger cache.

According to Indian media reports, officials stated that the flames left many in the tightly packed crowd with burns on their faces and hands. Local government official K Inbasekhar confirmed that the temple had not received permission for the fireworks show.

The temple president and secretary were taken into custody, reported The Hindu newspaper.

Incidents during religious gatherings in India have a history of casualties due to safety oversights and poor crowd control. In 2016, a similar explosion at a temple fireworks event killed at least 112 people during Hindu new year celebrations.

With Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, approaching later this week, India is entering its busiest fireworks season. Diwali marks the celebration of the goddess Lakshmi and symbolises the victory of light over darkness.

The fireworks, however, release heavy smoke that adds to air pollution, prompting the capital, New Delhi, to ban firecrackers. Enforcement is often limited, given the strong religious sentiment attached to fireworks during the festival.

(With inputs from AFP)