National: In a tragic incident, 154 people got injured during fireworks at a temple festival near Neeleshwaram in Kerala's Kasargod district late Monday night. Eight of the injured were in serious condition, the police said. According to the information received, the police suspect that the unfortunate accident took place after a fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu temple caught fire. 

The injured were rushed to the hospitals in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru soon after the accident. Given the worrying situation, the top district administration officials, including the collector and the district police chief reached the spot, ensuring quick action to rescue and provide relief to the affected.

What did Kasaragod Collector say?

Meanwhile, the Kasaragod district Collector confirmed that two organisers of the temple festival have been taken into custody as no permission was given for the fireworks. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire detonation area and the storage room were only 3 feet apart. Regulations require a minimum distance of 100 metres between the storage and firecracker ignition points.

Kasargod MP reacts

Reacting to the tragic incident, Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan says, "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...the police were not vigilant about this festival..."