Indian PM visits temple hit by massive blast, fire in southern state

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday flew to Kollam district in the southern state Kerala, where a doomed temple was devastated by a massive explosion and fire.

Over 110 people were killed at least 390 others injured in the incident.

An illegal fireworks show using lethal explosives as crackers in the Puttinggal Devitemple early Sunday set off a huge blast and fire.

Expressing deep grief over the horrific tragedy, Modi was accompanied by 15 medical professionals and heavy weight officials of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, including its president Amit Shah.

The tragedy occurred at about 3.30 a.m. in the coastal town of Peravur when a spark from an exploding firecracker landed on a building, where a vast quantity of bomb like crackers had been stored, setting off explosions and a massive blaze that blew away the structure and devastating the temple premises.

About 10,000 people were present watching the fireworks spectacle, which began midnight Saturday in an annual event to mark the temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali.

It took only a few minutes for the fire to engulf the area, burning to death many in a short time, said witnesses.

Several houses in a half kilometer radius were also destroyed or damaged. A stampede followed the blaze in a great chaos totally out of control, according to witnesses.

Indian army, air force and the navy joined in rescue operations and to provide medical treatment. Medical institutions in the country are mobilizing blood donation and dispatch of medical staff to the disaster struck zone.

Due to limited means and man power, the rescue operation was going slow and a local hospital was over flown with the injured and dead bodies, many charred beyond recognition.

Police arrested five employees of a father-son contractor duo who were reportedly responsible for the fireworks show that had been denied permission by the Kollam district authorities.

The father had suffered major burns while the son was in hospital with 50 percent burn injuries.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced a judicial probe and an investigation by the Crime Branch of Kerala Police into the tragedy, the worst in the state in more than six decades.

The government also announced 200,000 rupees (2,900 U.S. dollars) in compensation for the families of the each dead and 50,000 rupees (725 U.S. dollars) each to the injured.

Deadly accidents in religious sites are common in India, during various festivals.

In October 2013, over 100 people were stepped to death in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. Endit