Nileswaram fireworks accident: Death toll rises to two

KASARAGOD: A second person has succumbed to injuries sustained in the recent firework accident during a Kaliyattam ceremony at the Nileswaram Anjuttambalam Veerarkav temple in Kasaragod district. Ratheesh (32), a native of Kinavoor, passed away while undergoing treatment for severe burns at a private hospital in Kozhikode. He had sustained burns over 60 percent of his body.

This raises the death toll from the incident to two. Earlier, C. Sandeep (38), an auto driver from Choyyamkode, died of burn injuries while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kannur. The funeral for Sandeep, son of C. Kunjiraman and M.K. Savitri of Cheruvathur, is scheduled for today. He is survived by his wife, P. Vijila and two young daughters, Sanviya (9), a student at Chinmaya School and Ivania (4), attending Anganwadi in Kinanur.

The accident occurred at approximately 11:45 pm on October 28, when a spark fell into a shed storing fireworks during the temple festival, resulting in an explosion. A total of 154 people sustained injuries, with around 100 still receiving treatment in various hospitals. A few remain in critical condition.

Following the incident, the Nileswaram police registered a case against eight individuals, including temple officials and detained four of them. Kasaragod District Sessions Court cancelled the bail previously granted by the Hozdurg First Class Magistrate Court to three of the accused, citing the severe rule violations and lack of necessary permits associated with the firework display.