Fiery Chaos: Theyyam Performance Ends in Tragedy

A fire incident during a Theyyam performance at Kerala's Veerarkavu Temple resulted in injuries to 150 individuals after firecrackers exploded. Police have booked temple committee members for non-compliance with safety standards. The exact cause is still undetermined, and investigations are ongoing.

A devastating fire accident during a Theyyam performance at Veerarkavu Temple near Neeleswaram injured 150 people late last night. The blaze erupted when firecrackers stored nearby exploded, with 10 individuals sustaining serious injuries, according to police reports.

Eyewitnesses claimed that sparks from firecrackers ignited the remaining stockpile, causing mass panic among the assembled crowd. Nileswaram police have since registered a case under the Explosive Substance Act, implicating temple committee members for allegedly violating safety regulations.

Footage captured the chaos, showing attendees fleeing for safety. The local collector confirmed ongoing investigations to determine the cause, as concerns arise about inadequate distances maintained during fireworks' storage and bursting. Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her condolences and urged for relief efforts to aid the injured.

(With inputs from agencies.)