Firework Explosion In Kerala Temple Leaves 154 Injured, Case Registered Against Committee Members—Here's What Happened So Far

A case has been registered against eight temple committee members after 154 people were injured in a fireworks explosion during a festival at a Kerala temple on Monday (28 October) night.

Nine are critically injured due to a fireworks explosion at Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple near Neeleswaram in Kasaragod district during the annual kaliyattam, or theyyam, ritual attended by thousands.

The case is registered under non-bailable sections for conducting fireworks without permission and violating guidelines. The FIR states that the careless display led to a fire in the fireworks storage area.

According to police, the explosion happened when sparks from the fireworks display fell onto a nearby storage shed, known as the magazine, where additional fireworks were kept.

This magazine, located less than 100 meters from the main fire-line display area, ignited and set off a chain of explosions, causing panic among attendees, many of whom suffered burn injuries.

District Collector K Inbasekar told reporters that the temple had not received permission to conduct fireworks, and authorities have detained temple office bearers.

Those with severe injuries were taken to Kannur’s government medical college, while others are receiving care at various hospitals in Kasaragod and Mangaluru.

Suresh Babu, a theyyam performer and eyewitness, recounted that in the last 40 years of theyyam, the accident occurred for the first time as sparks from palm leaf crackers accidentally fell onto the magazine.

"The magazine turned into a fireball. Several persons got injured in the stampede-like situation after the incident. Sparks fell accidentally on the nearby magazine, leading to the massive explosion," he said.

Theyyam is a significant ritual in North Kerala’s temples, especially in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. The theyyam at Anjootambalam Veerakavu temple traditionally signals the start of ritual performances across the region.

Calling the accident 'shocking', Congress MP from Kasargod Rajmohan Unnithan said, "This Theyyam festival is a custom of the people of North Malabar...the police were not vigilant about this festival..."