The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has approved Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of four people who died in a major blast at Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Nileshwaram last week. The explosion occurred after firecrackers, set aside for a festival, accidentally ignited. Last week, the Vijayan administration also agreed to cover all medical expenses for the 154 people injured in the incident.
The deceased, identified as Shibin Raj, Biju, Ratheesh, and Sandeep, were in their late 30s. Shibin Raj died on Monday, while the other three succumbed to severe burns in the days following.
Violations of Safety Protocols Blamed for Blast
Officials reported that the accident happened due to safety lapses by the temple authorities. Authorities revealed that no permission was granted for the event and that safety protocols for fireworks displays were ignored. The injured included many who had gathered for the popular ‘Theyyam’ ritual, a major cultural event that draws large crowds in the Kannur and Kasargod districts.
Arrests and Increased Safety Enforcement
Following the tragedy, police detained three temple officials. Although initially granted bail by a local court, a district court later canceled the bail, highlighting the gravity of the safety breaches. Kasargod’s Superintendent of Police, D. Shilpa, stated that temple authorities failed to comply with required guidelines. In response, the temple has canceled future events, and other temples have begun adhering strictly to safety rules regarding firecracker use.
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