The fire took place at around 3.30 am this morning [Image: TV grab, NDTV]The death toll from a massive fire early Sunday in the southern Indian state of Kerala has reached 100, said local broadcaster NDTV.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was going to visit the Puttingal Devi temple where the tragedy occurred.
“I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam,” he tweeted.
The tragedy occurred early Sunday morning due to a firework display which caused the blaze at the Puttingal temple in the coastal town of Paravur located about 60 kms from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
Modi said the disaster was “heartrending and shocking beyond words”.
Over 200 have been injured in the temple fire. Hindu devotees had gathered at the temple for a fireworks display to mark the start of the local Hindu new year.
Kerala’s Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said the temple did not have permission for the fireworks.
“There was no permission to even store the fireworks,” he said.
TBP and Agencies
Source