Over 154 people injured in fireworks accident in Neeleshwaram, eight in critical condition

Kasargod: The condition of a person injured in the fireworks accident in Neeleshwaram is said to be very critical. 154 people have been injured. Out of the 97 injured, eight are in critical condition. The accident occurred during the Neeleshwaram Anjuthambalam Veerakava Theyyamkettu Festival. The incident occurred yesterday midnight during the Kulichu Thottam ritual of Moolalamkuzhy Chamundi Theyyam. The fire started due to a spark from the fireworks. Sandeep, who was injured in the accident, is being treated at MIMS, Kozhikode and is in critical condition. 16 are being treated at Kanhangad Hospital, 10 at Sanjeevani Hospital, 17 at Aishal Hospital, five at Pariyaram Medical College, 18 at MIMS Kannur, two at MIMS Kozhikode, three at Arimala Hospital, two at KAH Cheruvathur, five at Mansoor Hospital, one at Deepa Hospital and 18 at AJ Medical College, Mangalore. Kasargod District Collector Inbasekar K said that no permission was taken for storing the fireworks. The requirement of maintaining a minimum distance of 100 metres was not followed. Here the crackers were burst at a distance of two or three feet. The police have registered a case and started investigation. A case has been registered for careless handling of fireworks. The cause of the accident was that the crackers were kept near the place where the fireworks were being burst