New Delhi, April 10 (QNA) - A massive fire broke out during a fireworks display in a south Indian temple early Sunday, killing more than 80 people and injuring at least 200 more, a top official said.
The fire started when a spark from a fireworks show ignited a separate batch of fireworks that were being stored at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravoor village, a few hours north of Kerala's state capital of Thiruvananthapuram, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennitala.
Thousands had been packed into the temple complex when a big explosion erupted around 3am, officials said. The blaze then spread quickly through the temple, trapping devotees within.
At least 84 people were killed, said a Kerala police official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to give his name to journalists.
By morning, firefighters had brought the blaze under control, officials said. Rescuers were sifting through the wreckage in search of survivors, while backhoes were clearing the debris and ambulances ferried the injured to nearby hospitals. (QNA)