KOLLAM: Ten summers ago, an April fireworks disaster at Puttingal in Kollam district had left 110 people dead and 350 injured. Those haunting memories hit Keralites hard as a fireworks tragedy unfolded during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram on Tuesday.
On the morning of April 10, 2016, a festive procession turned into a funeral pyre in a matter of moments. The fireworks competition at the Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur was famous, with people from nearby districts too coming to watch the pyrotechnics, which started at 11.56pm. While the crowd had enjoyed the fireworks for around three hours, a stray spark set off a massive explosion at an adjacent firecracker storehouse. Hardly anyone gathered there had a chance to escape.
Rubble of collapsed buildings and charred body parts were scattered all over the place. Besides the casualties, a total of 358 houses were damaged. While KSEB suffered a loss of Rs 88 lakh, the revenue department estimated a total loss of Rs 2.58 crore.
A survivor, Shajidharan, who suffered several injuries including the amputation of his right hand, recalled: “I was in the Gulf and had come home on leave. The incident happened when I had only two more days left in Kerala.” He said he received Rs 2.50 lakh from the government and had to move on with that amount.
“I was in hospital for three months. An artificial hand has now been attached and my family had to bear other hospital expenses,” said Shajidharan, who currently runs a stationery shop. “The memories of the day came rolling back when I saw the news about the Thrissur accident,” he said.
Another survivor, Lalu P S, who suffered severe injuries and fractured both his feet, said, “It’s still a fearful night. I have undergone several surgeries in these years and have more to undergo. I got better only after a surgery last year. Initially, amputation was suggested but later AIIMS doctors said surgeries would do.”
A case on illegal firecracker competition at Puttingal temple is being heard in a special court, even as the district administration banned fireworks there.