Over 80 people were killed and others injured when an explosion took place at the Puttingal Devi temple during a festival at Paravoor in Kollam, Kerala.

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According to CNN-IBN, no permission had been given to the Puttingal temple by the district collector for holding the fireworks display which caused the massive tragedy. In fact, the competitive fireworks display had been stayed after the locals complained.

No permission was given to the temple to conduct competitive fireworks display

Reports are now saying that the death toll has risen to 86 and the number of people injured has also risen to 300.

"Huge pieces of concrete were flying through the air. Chunks landed in our yard," she said.

Local TV channels broadcast images of huge clouds of white smoke billowing from the temple, as fireworks were still going off in the night sky. Successive explosions from the building storing the fireworks sent huge chunks of concrete flying as far as a kilometre (a half mile), according to resident Jayashree Harikrishnan.

The fire started when a spark from a fireworks show ignited a separate batch of fireworks that were being stored at the Puttingal temple complex, according to Associated Press . Thousands had been packed into the temple complex when a big explosion erupted around 3 am, officials said. The blaze then spread quickly through the temple, trapping devotees within.

The explosion had sent huge chunks of concrete flying as far as a kilometre away

Expressing deep anguish and shock over the disaster, he directed the Indian Air Force to ferry the injured to hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram for treatment.

He also announced Rs 50,000 each for the injured in the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh each as compensation for the kin of the dead in the Kollam temple fire, reported PTI.

PM Modi announces compensation for the family of the deceased and the injured

"We hope a detailed inquiry will be conducted. It is a matter of investigation," said Congress leader Manish Tewari. "There is a strong case to go into the reasons why this tragedy took place. Whoever is responsible should be punished."

According to Times Now, an FIR has now been filed against the temple authorities.

According to reports, the death toll has now climbed to 102. The Hindu also reported that over 350 people have been injured.

Here are the helpline numbers for the temple fire tragedy: 0474 2512344, 9497960778, 9497930869. Blood donors are needed at the hospitals for the injured.

According to PTI, Kerala CM Oommen Chandy said, "102 persons are confirmed dead in Kollam temple fire mishap, at least 280 have been injured."

The report added that between 3 and 3.30 am, one of th fireworks called 'amittu' fell on the ground and the sparks spread to other fireworks and caused an explosion.

This fireworks face-off takes place between two groups of people. "The competition is to see whose fireworks are more grand, the explosions louder and the sights magnificent," the report said.

The report added that it is not just a fireworks display but also a competition in which judges watch the fireworks and declare a winner every year.

This old tradition is supposed to be a visual treat for the people and thousands of people gather at the temple every year to watch the fireworks.

According to this report in The News Minute , a massive fireworks display takes place every year during Vishnu celebrations at the Puttingal temple in Kollam.

Here's what exactly happened at the temple

For the past four years, local residents living close to the temple had complained about fireworks, saying their homes were getting damaged. Earlier this year, before the festival began, they formed a Resident Committee and approached the District Collector. This petition was forwarded to Tahsildar. Permission was denied for fireworks in the temple but it went ahead anyway. 80% of the houses nearby were destroyed. Luckily, no one was present in these houses. They usually go stay with relatives elsewhere during the festival season as it is too much of a disturbance for them.

According to Firstpost correspondent Sandhya Ravishankar, the festival honouring the Bhadrakali deity in the Paravur temple has been going on for almost a century. Bursting fireworks on the last few days of the festival is a local custom. It is a 10-day festival and is very popular. People from Coimbatore and other areas of Tamil Nadu too throng here.

Here is the letter which denied permission for fireworks at the temple

"Our sympathies are with the bereaved families. We wish early recovery to all injured people," said the Pakistan MoFA statement.

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said that Pakistan "expresses its deep condolences on loss of precious lives, resulting from fire breakout in temple in South Kerala", according to ANI.

Our sympathies are with the bereaved families: Pakistan on the tragedy

The concrete building in which crackers and pyrotechnic materials were stocked was completely destroyed in the explosion which was so massive that cement slabs were found even 10 metres away from the accident spot, said 63-year-old Vijayan, an eyewitness. - PTI

Lalu said he immediately rushed to the spot and found about 10-15 people dead.

"I saw a huge fireball and then a thundering sound. Electricity in the area went off and I heard people screaming. It was a very chilling experience," he said.

Lalu, a television journalist who was watching the fireworks from the terrace of a nearby building, said the mishap occurred towards the end of the festivities.

Giving an account of her experience, Girija, whose house is situated about a kilometre away from the temple, said she felt tremors soon after a massive explosion.

This was the account of Girija who said such an incident had never occurred earlier.

At around 3.30 am, there was a massive explosion followed by tremors which were felt even a kilometre away from the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple near Kollam as a massive fire tragedy struck there.

Tremors caused by the explosion were felt even a kilometre away

According to Xinhua , the death toll in this tragedy has now climbed to 110.

The Kerala government has announced Rs 10 lakh will be given to the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh will be given to the seriously injured and Rs 50000 will be given to those with minor injuries, reported CNN-IBN.

He also said that a blanket ban on such fireworks display and festivals was not possible. "A blanket ban on such fireworks or such festivals is not possible. Stringent guidelines must be brought in and we must ensure that these stringent guidelines are followed," said the CM.

As the Kerala cabinet meeting ended, CM Oomen Chandy addressed reporters and said that the government has ordered a crime branch probe into the Kollam tragedy. "We will get into all aspects of the case," he said.

A case has also been registered against the father-son duo of Surendran and Umesh who had organised the fireworks display. Both are being treated at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

Top officials of the Puttingal Devi temple in Kerala have reportedly gone missing after the tragedy, police sources said, reported IANS.

"The locals said they had received oral permission. The temple authority did not have the permission and we did not give them any permission," he said. - PTI

However, Kollam City Police commissioner P Prakash, said police did not given permission for the display of fireworks.

Local people in the area told PTI that late at night, the ban was lifted following a 'mutual agreement'.

Pankajakshi alleged that temple authorities had threatened her after the complaint was filed.

They claimed a ban had been imposed on a complaint by one Pankajakshi, a resident near the temple complex against holding fireworks display.

While the office of Kollam District collector A Shainamol's office told PTI that no permission was granted to conduct the fireworks display, local people claimed the ban was lifted later in the night.

Conflicting versions are emerging on permission being granted for conduct of fireworks display at the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple complex.

Contradictory claims emerge on the issue of permission granted for fireworks display

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Kollam to take stock of the situation

Surendran had license to store only about 15 kg, police said "It is a clear violation of license. So far no arrest have been made," police told PTI - PTI

According to PTI, Attingal police said they have registered a case against the licensee, Surendran, who had stored about 150 kgs o crackers and fireworks material at the storehouse without valid permission.

One booked for storing fire crackers 10 times more than permitted limit

Speaking about the impact of the explosion, he said that people as far as 200 meters from the site were injured.

He further added " The Indian government is with Kerala and the families in such times and will assist anyone who wants to be shifted to Mumbai or Delhi for any kind of treatment."

After having reached the Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) Medical college with his team of doctors and taking stock of the situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media. He said " I am very sadden by the incident. My sympathies are with the families of the deceased, my prayers with the injured"

Seven people had been killed during another explosion at the storehouse where firecrackers had been kept for the famous Thrissur Pooram festival in 2006. - PTI

A cracker, which accidentally fell on spectators, claimed six lives in Thrissur in 1978.

As many as 20 people had been killed in another cracker blast during a church festival in Thrissur district in 1984 and 26 people had died during a blast in the storehouse of crackers at a temple in Malanada in Kollam in 1990.

The cracker blast at the premises of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple in 1952 had claimed at least 68 lives.

Though cracker blasts, especially during religious festivals, are not new in the state, Sunday's tragedy is the worst in over last 50 years of the state's history.

The Puttingal Devi temple fire mishap is one of the worst such tragedies witnessed by Kerala, where display of fireworks are an integral part of religious and cultural festivals.

Puttingal Devi temple fire tragedy was the worst such tragedy in Kerala in the last 50 years

According to The Times of India , the death toll has now risen to 112. The report further said that nearly 400 other people had been injured.

“Once the order was issued, it was vetted by Collector Shainamol, so the pressure started mounting on her. A senior minister called her to demand a change in her stand and asked whether she really wanted to upset religious sentiments of a section to which she does not belong. Local Hindu groups also used it against the ruling party, and eventually, police and politicians decided to make the fireworks happen despite a ban,” the report quoted an officer as saying.

What is worse is that communal slurs were used against the two officials, who are Muslims.

According to this report in Indian Express , Additional District Magistrate A Shanavas and District Collector A Shainamol, who were two of the officials who had denied permission for the fireworks display, were bullied and threatened by local politicians and Hindu groups.

Officials who had opposed the Kollam fireworks display were bullied

According to The Times of India , the death toll has now risen to 112. The report further said that nearly 400 other people had been injured.

“Once the order was issued, it was vetted by Collector Shainamol, so the pressure started mounting on her. A senior minister called her to demand a change in her stand and asked whether she really wanted to upset religious sentiments of a section to which she does not belong. Local Hindu groups also used it against the ruling party, and eventually, police and politicians decided to make the fireworks happen despite a ban,” the report quoted an officer as saying.

What is worse is that communal slurs were used against the two officials, who are Muslims.

According to this report in Indian Express , Additional District Magistrate A Shanavas and District Collector A Shainamol, who were two of the officials who had denied permission for the fireworks display, were bullied and threatened by local politicians and Hindu groups.

Officials who had opposed the Kollam fireworks display were bullied

ANI reports that fire and rescue teams are now inspecting the site of the tragedy which killed 112 people.

A case has been registered against 30 people, including the Puttingal temple board members, according to NDTV.

TV news reports said that the five organisers who had been detained by the police are now being questioned by them.

But the task is being made more difficult by the fact that some of the more than 100 people killed are unrecognisable. - AFP

At hospitals, morgues and police stations, families are involved in a heartwrenching search for loved ones feared swept up in the blast that tore apart concrete buildings.

"My father had gone to the festival with his friend. We were able to find the body of his friend but have yet to get any information on my father," the weary-looking Anoop said, before heading off to yet another hospital.

"I don't know if he is alive or dead. All I want is to see him, we are ready for the worst but this search is painful," he told AFP after questioning ICU staff at a medical college hospital in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

But in the chaotic hours after the explosion that ripped through the Puttingal Devi complex, the increasingly desperate 32-year-old could find no trace of his father, Vishwanathan, and feared the worst.

Like thousands of others, his father had gone on Saturday night to the Hindu temple in southern Kerala state, renowned for its beaches and tranquil backwaters, to see the annual fireworks display.

After scouring six hospitals and three morgues, NP Anoop is no closer to finding his father who was caught in a massive blast and fire at an Indian temple that claimed more than 100 lives.

According to ANI, a seven-member team led by Chief Controller Explosives Sudarshan Kamal inspected the tragedy site.

It's correct that we denied permission for fireworks display: Chandrakumar, Circle Inspector #Kollam pic.twitter.com/lySg4xD0Lc

'It is correct that we denied permission for fireworks display'

Yechury also said that this disaster "definitely merits to be considered a national calamity."

"The guilty should be punished," he added. "The Prime Minister was here. I chose not to come here yesterday because the priority of the administration should be to provide relief. When that was over, I decided to come here," he said.

"Monetary compensation is not enough. The state government should announce employment for the kin of victims so that they have some future," Yechury told reporters after meeting the victims.

Sitharam Yechury met the injured and the families of the deceased and said that the state government should provide employment to the injured and the kin of the deceased.

They have flouted many rules. As per SC guidelines one cannot ignite fireworks after 10pm: Sudarshan Kamal pic.twitter.com/49wo6JcR7m

"We have drawn some samples which will be sent for testing. We will be able to say what type of chemicals were used only after testing," Chief Controller Explosives Sudarshan Kamal said.

Over 80 people were killed and several others injured when an explosion took place at the Puttingal Devi temple during a festival at Paravoor in Kollam at around 3 am on Sunday, police said.

As the temple festival was on, fireworks display had commenced at the temple precincts since midnight and hundreds of people had gathered to watch the show.

As the fireworks and pyrotechnics display was coming to a close at 3 am, an explosion is suspected to have occurred at the storeroom 'Kambapuram' filled with crackers and pyrotechnics materials, police said.

Men, women and police officials are among the dead, they said.

Fifty of the injured have been rushed to Trivandrum Medical College in the state capital and five persons died after being brought there.

Nearly 200 people got injured in the mishap and have been admitted to various hospitals in the district and nearby Thiruvananthapuram, police said.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy termed as "unprecedented" and "alarming" the situation at the Puttingal Devi temple.

Chandy, who cancelled all his scheduled poll programmes, is on his way to the accident site.

"Rescue operation at the mishap spot is over...The next main focus of the government is to provide best treatment to the injured," he told PTI.

Asked about the death toll, the Chief Minister said the number would go up as reports are pouring in from different hospitals, where the injured have been admitted.

"This is an unprecedented and alarming situation," Chandy said.

The government would extend treatment facilities to the injured persons in the hospitals preferred by their relatives, he said.

The State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct, he said.

State Health Minister VS Sivakumar said directives have been issued to hospital authorities to make necessary arrangements for the injured.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said Director General of Police (DGP) Senkumar is monitoring the rescue operations.

"A comprehensive probe will be conducted into the incident. Adequate compensation would be given to the victims of the accident after consulting with the Election Commission," Chennithala said.

Local media reports quoting Kollam district authorities say the temple authorities ignored warnings issued against holding a huge firework in the area vulnerable to such accident.

District Collector Shinamol, who visited the spot, said evacuation and rescue operations were going on full-swing. People trapped in the concrete structure, which was completely destroyed in the mishap, were taken out, police said.

Eye witnesses told television channels that the accident took place at 3.30 am.

The sound of the explosion in the store-room was heard in around two-km radius of the temple, they said.

(With inputs from PTI)