Puttingal temple fire facts for kids
Puttingal Devi Temple in 2008
 Puttingal Temple
Puttingal Temple
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| Date | 10 April 2016 |
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| Time | 03:30 IST (22:00 UTC on April 9) |
| Location | Paravur, Kollam, Kerala, India |
| Coordinates | 8°48′45″N 76°39′52″E / 8.8126°N 76.6644°E |
| Deaths | 111 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 350+ |
On April 10, 2016, a big explosion and fire happened at the Puttingal Temple in Paravur, Kerala, India. This happened around 3:30 AM local time. The accident occurred during a fireworks show that went wrong.
Sadly, 111 people died, and more than 350 people were hurt. Some of the injured had serious burns. The explosion also damaged the temple and about 150 homes nearby. People who saw it said that sparks from a firecracker landed on other fireworks stored in a concrete building. This caused a huge blast.
The temple did not have official permission from the Kerala government for this large fireworks display. About 15,000 visitors were at the temple for the last day of a seven-day festival. This festival honored the goddess Bhadrakali.
A few days later, on April 13, the Kerala High Court made a rule. They banned loud fireworks after sunset at all places of worship in the state. This accident was one of the biggest fireworks disasters in southern India in recent years. Another one happened in 2012 at a factory in Tamil Nadu.
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What Happened
Temples in southern India often have festivals with fireworks. These shows are meant to honor the gods. In Kerala, there are even yearly competitions for the best fireworks displays. In 1952, a similar accident at the Sabarimala temple killed 68 people.
On April 10, 2016, two groups were setting off fireworks at the Puttingal temple. Thousands of people were there for the festival. The temple leaders told police they had spoken permission. However, it was later found that they had been denied official permission. They went ahead with the display because people wanted it.
The Fire and Explosion
The fire started around 3:30 AM local time. An explosion happened in a storage area where fireworks were kept. These fireworks were for upcoming celebrations, including Vishu. It seems a firework called Amittu fell into the stored fireworks after being lit.
This caused a massive explosion. The storage building and a nearby office building collapsed. Most of the injuries and deaths happened because of this collapse. The blast was so strong that people living more than a kilometer away could feel it.
Helping Those Affected
After the accident, many groups came to help. The Indian Navy sent planes and helicopters. They also sent medical teams from their base in Kochi. The Indian Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard also helped with rescue efforts.
Most of the people who were hurt were taken to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for treatment.
The Investigation
The Home Minister of Kerala, Ramesh Chennithala, ordered an investigation into the accident. The police planned to take action against the people who put on the fireworks show and the temple leaders.
On April 11, five temple workers were taken in for questioning by the police. Later, seven more people connected to the temple, including its president, were arrested.
The Indian government also started its own investigation. They found several reasons for the accident. These included:
- The fireworks display was done without a proper license.
- People were too close to the fireworks display.
- Unauthorized fireworks were used.
- Fireworks were stored improperly.
- There was no good plan to control the crowd.
- Forbidden chemicals were used in making the fireworks.
Reactions and Changes
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said the accident was "heart-rending and shocking." He visited the area, as did the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy. Other political leaders also visited the site. Political parties stopped their election campaigns for a while to show respect.
The Prime Minister announced financial help for the families of those who died and for those seriously injured. The Chief Minister of Kerala also announced similar financial support.
After the disaster, the Kerala Disaster Management Authority decided to check safety plans for other big festivals. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, also stated that the temple never had permission to store fireworks inside.
Movie About the Event
A Malayalam language movie called Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri was released in 2018. This film used the Puttingal temple accident as a background for its story.
