Three individuals, including the Veerarkavu Temple Committee President, have been taken into custody following a fireworks accident that left 154 people injured during the Theyyam festival celebrations, according to Nileshwaram police on Tuesday.
The accident occurred during the Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple in the early hours of Tuesday. Earlier, Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan confirmed that the accident had resulted in 154 injuries at the festival in Veerarkavu Temple, located in Kerala’s Kasargod district.
“Shocking news came from Nileshwaram in Kasargod district last night. About 154 people have been injured and admitted to different hospitals. This Theyyam festival is a custom of the people of North Malabar. Every family is conducting the Theyyam. The Theyyam starts from this Veerarkavu Temple. This is the start of this year’s Theyyam,” Unnithan told ANI.
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The explosion originated in the firework storage area of the Veerarkavu Temple. The injured have since been admitted to several hospitals across the area.
“The incident took place at around 12.30 am during the annual Kaliyattam festival at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple. Injured have been admitted to various hospitals. By the grace of God, only 150 people were injured in this incident. The police were not vigilant about this festival,” Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan added.
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