Kollam Temple Fire: Hospitals Struggle to Save the Injured

Hospitals in Kollam district labour under the strain of large numbers of injured at their doors.

A fire broke out at Puttingal Temple in Paravur in Kollam District, Kerala on Sunday morning. (Photo: The News Minute)

Around 100 people are feared dead and over have been 300 injured in a huge fire that broke out at Puttingal temple at Paravur in Kollam District, Kerala early Sunday morning.

The injured have been rushed to Travancore and Kollam government hospitals. Of them, 80 had been rushed to the Travancore Medical Hospital.

All the doctors and staff have been engaged. We are not sure if more people will be brought in

Hospital Official 

Thirteen have been declared dead in Travancore Medical College and ten in Kollam district hospital.

Most of the injured been taken to the Kollam district hospital.

This is traumatic. Many relatives have rushed. The bodies are so badly burnt that it is difficult to identify if it’s a man or woman.

Staff Member, Travancore Medical College

Also read: Kollam Fire Live: 102 Dead, Kerala Cabinet Meeting Begins

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is said to reach the spot on Sunday and has assured financial aid to the victims’ kin.

The bodies are badly charred, and “identifying the bodies will be a tough challenge as people don’t even know who was standing where,” DGP TP Senkumar said.

The number of women and children participating in the festival was lower than usual since this was a competitive fireworks celebration.

According to reports, the fire is said to have been caused due to a firework that sparked off a pile of fireworks that were stocked for temple celebrations.