Kerala Residents Evacuated Amid “Explosion-Like” Sounds; Temple Festival Blast Injures Over 150

In a tense series of events in Kerala’s Malappuram district, over 280 people from 85 families were evacuated after residents reported hearing “explosion-like” sounds accompanied by tremors in the Anakkallu area. According to police officials, the first of these sounds was detected around 9:15 PM on Tuesday, followed by two more occurrences at 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM, causing panic among locals.

Authorities swiftly responded to the situation, relocating residents to a nearby school building for safety. The noises were reported within a two-kilometer radius, prompting a concerted effort from police, revenue officials, and local representatives to ensure the community’s safety. By Wednesday morning, residents began returning to their homes as the immediate danger appeared to have passed.

In a related incident just days prior, an explosion during a temple festival in Kasaragod resulted in over 150 injuries. The explosion occurred late Monday night when a fireworks storage facility near the Veerarkavu Temple caught fire. Victims were rushed to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for treatment.

District officials, including the collector and the district police chief, quickly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Preliminary investigations suggest that safety protocols were not followed, specifically the requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters between the fireworks storage facility and the area where the fireworks were being set off. Furthermore, it was revealed that no permission had been obtained for the storage of the fireworks.

The district’s additional superintendent of police will head the investigation, focusing on determining the cause of the explosion. Three individuals are currently in custody for questioning, and further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

These incidents underscore the need for strict adherence to safety regulations, especially during events involving fireworks, to prevent such alarming occurrences in the future.