Kerala, 30 October 2024: Three persons, including the president of the Veerarkavu Temple Committee, have been arrested following a fireworks explosion that injured 154 people during the Kaliyattam festival in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, Nileshwaram police announced Tuesday.
The incident occurred early Tuesday during the Theyyam celebrations at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple, a revered annual event for North Malabar communities. The explosion, reportedly originating from the temple’s fireworks storage area, took place around 12:30 a.m., leading to widespread injuries among festival attendees.
Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan, who confirmed the number of injured, expressed concern over the incident, noting, “By the grace of God, only 150 people were injured in this incident. The police were not vigilant about this festival.” Theyyam, a traditional ritual widely celebrated by families in North Malabar, customarily begins with ceremonies at the Veerarkavu Temple.
The injured were transported to various hospitals, while authorities continued their investigation into the cause of the explosion and potential safety lapses. Unnithan described the accident as a “shocking event” for the district, highlighting the need for increased vigilance at such large gatherings.
