Death toll reaches four in Kasaragod temple fire accident

NEELESWARAM: The death toll in the fire accident at Anjuttambalam Veerarkav temple in Kasaragod reached four on Sunday. Ratheesh (32) from Kinavoor and Biju (38) adn Shibin Raj, a Cheruvathur native succumbed to their injuries on Sunday. Shibin was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode private hospital.

Sandeep (38), a resident of Choyamgode Kinavoor Road, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kannur, died on Saturday.

Ratheesh is the son of the late Ambunji and Janaki. Siblings: Kanchana and Ragini.

Biju is the son of KV Chandran and Sushila of Manjalumkate. Wife: Manju. Children: Adi Shankar and Advaita. Sister: Vidya

All four victims are close friends and family members. Linesh, who is in the intensive care unit of Mangalore's AJ Medical College, and the victims went to the festival together. All four were active participants in cultural events across the region.

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.