Kerala temple fire tragedy: Death toll at 112; Kollam DC submits report

An apparently illegal fireworks display set off huge explosions and a massive fire at the Puttingal Devi temple just before dawn before dawn on Sunday, raining death and destruction in the area.

People check out the damaged structures after a massive fire broke out on Sunday during a fireworks display at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravoor village, Kollam district, Kerala.

Kollam: A day after the Kerala High Court pulled up police for not preventing the deadly fireworks show at a temple in Kollam, District Collector A Shainamol on Wednesday submitted factual report on the incident to Chief Secretary PK Mohanty.

The death toll in the incident has risen to 112. The man who organised the deadly fireworks show at the Puttingal Devi temple in Paravur town has also died.

An apparently illegal fireworks display set off huge explosions and a massive fire at the temple just before dawn before dawn on Sunday, raining death and destruction in the area.

More than 350 people were badly injured, suffering burns and other injuries. Doctors said that while most were responding to treatment, four people in Thiruvananthapuram and 20 in Kollam remained serious.

Thirteen bodies were yet to be identified, officials said, while 21 people remained unaccounted for since Sunday morning.

The temple tragedy has drawn global sympathy. China became the latest country to offer condolences. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday announced Rs 10 lakh for relief and rehabilitation work.