By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

NEW DELHI, India –

Police in India’s Kerala state have arrested 13 people in connection with the fireworks explosion that killed over 100 people at a temple last week. Nearly 400 people were also injured during the explosion.

Five of the detainees are officials at the Puttingal temple, where the explosion occurred during a celebration of the Hindu new year. A spark from one of the fireworks ignited the rest of the fireworks that the temple had obtained. Many temple-goers were trapped inside the temple as the explosion caused the temple to catch on fire and collapse.

Many of the deaths occurred when the temple collapsed. Chunks of concrete falling from above crushed a number of people, and many more were trapped in the debris. Some people were also injured in a stampede following the blast. Rescue efforts were slowed by emergency workers’ late arrival and a power outage in the area.

Authorities had previously denied the temple permission to host the display. The temple decided to go ahead with the display after being pressured by the crowds gathered to celebrate the new year.

Formal judicial and criminal investigations are ongoing. Several of the temple’s officials turned themselves in to police and are being investigated for violations including culpable homicide, illegal storage of fireworks, and violation of an authority’s orders. They are expected to be formally charged in court later this week. Several other individuals, including contractors in charge of the fireworks display, are also being questioned in connection with the explosion.

The High Court of Kerala has issued an order banning noise-generating fireworks at places of worship during the nighttime hours and banning heavy-duty explosives in fireworks displays altogether.

Following the explosion, Kerala’s Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, stated that the government will compensate families of those killed or injured in the blast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi then announced a compensation package for the families of the dead and injured, which will be covered by the government’s Disaster Management Fund.

 

For more information, please see:

The Indian Express – Kollam Temple Fire: From the Initial Spark to the Arrests – How It All Unfolded – 12 April 2016

The New York Times – 13 Arrested in Connection With Fireworks Explosion at Temple in India – 12 April 2016

Time – Five Surrender to Police Over Indian Temple Fire – 12 April 2016

BBC News – Puttingal Temple: Five Detained Over India Fireworks Blast – 11 April 2016.

The Guardian – Five Arrests Over Deadly Fireworks Explosion at Indian Temple – 11 April 2016