Police detains 20 people over fireworks tragedy in Indian temple

Police in southern Indian state of Kerala said on Monday it has so far detained 20 suspects in connection with an fireworks tragedy at a Hindu temple that killed 110 and injured 383 people.

"Twenty suspects have been nabbed in the preliminary combing operation conducted following the fireworks tragedy at Kollam's Paravur Puttingal temple," an official said.

The fireworks display triggered massive fire engulfing the temple complex early Sunday at Kollam, about 64 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city, capital of Kerala.

The local government has ordered a judicial probe into the accident.

"The government medical teams would visit all hospitals to assess the situation where the 383 injured have been admitted. Of them, the condition of 60 people is reported to be critical," reads a statement issued by the government.

Officials said the fireworks display at the temple was being held with no authorization.

"The Kollam district administration had denied the temple authorities permission for the display and the government would investigate why they went ahead anyway," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters. "There was no permission to even store the fireworks."

Reports said the massive explosion and fire occurred when a half burnt firecracker landed on a large stockpile of fireworks.

The intensity of the explosion ripped apart a building at the temple causing it to collapse and resulting in many deaths.

Thousands of people, according to reports, had gathered at the temple to witness the fireworks display as part of the new year celebration.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the scene and spoke with victims at local hospitals, described the incident as "heart-rending and shocking beyond words."

Footage of the tragedy telecast by TV channels showed a series of explosions with flames and huge plumes of smoke. Endit