Five people were detained on Monday in connection with the fireworks show at the Kollam temple which went awry before dawn on Sunday, the Kerala DGP said. At least 109 devotees were killed and over 400 injured when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “dreadful tragedy”.
One person, who had allegedly stored crackers and fireworks ten times more than the permit, was booked by police on Sunday. Attingal police earlier registered a case against the licensee, Surendran, who had stored about 150 kgs of crackers and fireworks material at the storehouse without valid permission, when he had the licence to store only about 15 kg.
Also Read: Kollam Temple Fire Leaves at least 102 Dead and Nearly 400 Injured
Modi, who visited the disaster-hit Puttingal Devi temple in Peravur town in Kollam, suggested that the injured could be flown to Mumbai or New Delhi for treatment.
Only two of the dead were women, police sources said.
Making a brief statement at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, Modi said he was deeply grieved.
We stand by Kerala’s grief and we will do everything we can to bring down the misery.Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
He announced Rs 2 lakh as compensation to families of each of the dead.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to families of the dead, Rs 2 lakh each to the seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.
(With IANS inputs)
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