Accuntpayable1 at 19:11, 5 December 2025

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{{Short description|Fatal building collapse in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Nileshwar temple fireworks disaster
| map = {{Location map|India#Kerala|lat_deg =12.2529577|lon_deg =75.126341|border=none|float=center}}
| date = {{start date|2024|10|28}}
| time = 00:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| venue = [[Nileshwaram]], [[Kasaragod]], [[Kerala]], India
| place = Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple, [[Nileshwaram]], [[Kasaragod]]
| type = [[Fireworks accident]]
| cause =
| deaths = 6
| injuries = 154
| arrests = 8
}}

On 28 October 2024, a [[fireworks accident]] occurred at the Theru Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple in [[Nileshwaram]] in [[Kasaragod district]] of the Indian state of [[Kerala]]. Six people were killed and around 154 people were injured.

== Explosion ==
On 28 October 2024, a [[Theyyam]] ritual performance was held during the Kaliyattam festival at the Theru Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple in [[Nileshwaram]] in [[Kasaragod district]] of the Indian state of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/10/29/kasaragod-veerarkavu-temple-festival-fire-breaks-out.html|title=150 injured as firecracker explodes at Anjoothambalam temple during Theyyam festival in Kasaragod|newspaper=[[Manorama News]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> At about half an hour past midnight [[Indian Standard Time|IST]], a fire ignited in a nearby building where [[firecrackers]] were stored. The fire resulted in a [[Fireworks accident|blast]] which collapsed the building and injured people nearby.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/fireworks-accident-kasaragod-temple-several-injured-casualties/article68809120.ece|title=Fireworks explosion at temple in Kerala's Kasaragod injures over 150|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024|archive-date=6 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206155104/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/fireworks-accident-kasaragod-temple-several-injured-casualties/article68809120.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Investigations show that the fireworks were worth around {{Indian rupee|30,000|link=yes}} and were stored in a room.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Poikayil |first=George |date=Feb 10, 2025 |title=Nileshwar temple blast victims abandoned despite 'state disaster' tag, no aid for follow-up treatment |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/02/10/nileshwar-temple-blast-victims-wait-for-compensation.html |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=[[Manorama News]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
The [[Kerala Police]] were involved in the rescue activities along with the Theyyam performers and general public.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/theyyam-performer-policeman-rescues-child-from-flames-in-kasaragod-fire-accident-1.10029790|title=Kasaragod fire accident: Policeman and Theyyam performer rescues child from flames|newspaper=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024|archive-date=27 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127221045/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/theyyam-performer-policeman-rescues-child-from-flames-in-kasaragod-fire-accident-1.10029790|url-status=live}}</ref> More than 150 were injured in the accident and the injured were transferred to hospitals in [[Kannur]] and [[Mangalore]] for treatment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/kerala-fire-27-injured-being-treated-at-private-hospital-in-mangaluru/article68810500.ece|title=Kerala fire: 27 injured being treated at private hospital in Mangaluru|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|last1=M|first1=Raghava|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024|archive-date=31 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241031180858/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/kerala-fire-27-injured-being-treated-at-private-hospital-in-mangaluru/article68810500.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kerala-kasaragod-temple-fire-fireworks-injury-latest-b2637234.html|title=Fireworks explosion at Indian temple injures more than 150 people|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024|archive-date=13 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113014721/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kerala-kasaragod-temple-fire-fireworks-injury-latest-b2637234.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As on 29 October, at least 110 people were undergoing treatment for injuries with few people in critical condition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-temple-fireworks-explosion-101-continue-to-undergo-treatment-at-various-hospitals-one-critical/article68809861.ece|title=Kerala temple fireworks explosion: 101 continue to undergo treatment at various hospitals, one critical|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Oct/29/over-150-injured-eight-critical-in-fireworks-accident-at-temple-festival-in-keralas-kasargod|title=Over 150 injured, eight critical in fireworks accident at temple festival in Kerala's Kasargod|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref> As on 4 November, four people had succumbed to their injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/death-toll-rises-to-4-in-nileshwar-fire-accident-1.10047362|title=Nileshwar fire accident: Death toll rises to 4 as another victim succumbs|newspaper=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> Six deaths and 154 injuries were recorded in the accident.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-15 |title=Nileshwar fireworks tragedy: Toll rises to 6 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/nileshwar-fireworks-disaster-claims-six-lives-as-injuries-continue-to-mount/articleshow/115334228.cms |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
The Kerala Police opened an investigation into the accident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fireworks-accident-at-kerala-temple-festival-9643697/|title=Fireworks explosion at Kerala's Kasaragod temple leaves over 150 injured|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> The [[District Collector]] of Kasargode stated that the investigation into the incident was being conducted by the appropriate authorities. The police highlighted a failure to comply with safety norms and guidelines as a possible cause of the accident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/10/29/mds3-kl-temple-festival-ld-accident.html|title=Over 150 injured 8 seriously in fireworks accident at Kerala temple festival|work=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/10/29/what-led-to-kerala-fireworks-accident-heres-what-happened-at-kasaragod-veererkavu-temple.html|title=What led to Kerala fireworks accident? Here's what happened at Kasaragod Veererkavu temple|work=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref> On 29 October, the police arrested eight temple officials including the president of the temple committee in connection with the incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/kerala-eight-temple-officials-booked-after-kasaragod-fireworks-mishap-injures-over-100|title=Kerala: Eight temple officials booked after Kasaragod fireworks mishap injures over 100|work=News Minute|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/10/29/kasaragod-firecracker-explosion-custody-anjoothambalam-veererkavu-temple.html|title=Firecracker explosion: Temple committee president, secretary in police custody|newspaper=[[Manorama News]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> The [[Government of Kerala]] announced the formation of a special investigative team to probe the accident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/kerala-government-announces-formation-of-sit-to-probe-into-fire-accident-at-kasaragod-temple-3253670|title=Kerala government announces formation of SIT to probe into fire accident at Kasaragod temple|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=29 October 2024|access-date=29 October 2024|archive-date=31 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241031032948/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/kerala-government-announces-formation-of-sit-to-probe-into-fire-accident-at-kasaragod-temple-3253670|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
The witnesses described that the sudden explosion triggered chaos and panic amongst the people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/explosion-at-fireworks-storage-unit-in-kasargods-anjoottambalam-veerarkavu-kaliyattam-festival-154-injured/|title=Explosion at fireworks storage unit in Kasargod's Anjoottambalam Veerarkavu Kaliyattam Festival, 154 injured|work=The South First|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> Various leaders expressed grief and condolences on the accident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/disturbed-by-kasaragod-fireworks-accident-priyanka-gandhi-3253021|title=Disturbed by Kasaragod fireworks accident: Priyanka Gandhi|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> In the aftermath, clashes were reported between the workers of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], who were protesting against the accident and the workers of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]], which heads the Kerala government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-fire-clash-erupts-between-bjp-cpm-workers-in-kasargod-watch-video/articleshow/114724040.cms|title=Kerala fire: Clash erupts between BJP-CPM workers in Kasargod, watch video|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 October 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Fireworks accidents and incidents}}
{{Disasters in India in 2024}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nileshwar temple fireworks disaster, 2024}}
[[Category:2024 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2024 fires in Asia]]
[[Category:Explosions in 2024]]
[[Category:Religious building and structure fires in India]]
[[Category:2024 in Kerala]]
[[Category:Fireworks accidents and incidents in India]]
[[Category:October 2024 in India]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in 2024]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in India]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses caused by fire]]
[[Category:Building and structure fires started by pyrotechnics]]
[[Category:Disasters in Kerala]]
[[Category:History of Kasaragod district]]
[[Category:Hindu temple fires]]
[[Category:Collapses in religious buildings and structures]]

2024 Nileshwar temple fireworks disaster - Revision history

Accuntpayable1 at 19:11, 5 December 2025