Three abandoned cars full of explosives and two sacks of firecrackers were reportedly found Monday near the Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam district of Kerala, a day after a fireworks show at the temple led to a massive fire that killed at least 109 people and injured 382 others. A bomb disposal squad has been summoned to the spot to diffuse the unattended explosives, India Today reported.
The three cars were found a kilometre away from the temple where tragedy struck in the early hours of Sunday. Sacks full of explosives were found in the three cars stationed at a temple near the Puttingal temple in Paravoor. The owners of the cars have been identified as SS Thushara, Surendran KL and Stalin Almeda, according to the Indian Express.
Earlier, Chief Controller of Explosives Sudarshan Kamal, while examining the site of the explosion, said "there seems to be a gross violation of explosives norms."
"Basic precautions had been ignored," he was quoted as saying by the Hindu Business Line.
A fireworks display, for which no permission had been given, reportedly led to crackers kept in storage catching fire. An explosion then occurred due to which the roof of the administration block caved in, killing and injuring hundreds.
Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages 1,000 temples was quoted as saying Monday by NDTV it would not ban fireworks and that it was the government's duty to ensure safety.
