Indian police arrest 5 after Hindu temple explosion kills at least 110


Police in the southern Indian city of Kollam have detained five people who helped supply fireworks to a local Hindu temple, where an explosion early Sunday morning killed at least 110 worshippers gathered for a new year's festival, and injured hundreds more. The explosion was sparked by an errant firework in an unauthorized pyrotechnic display that landed amid a second stockpile of fireworks in a shed at the Puttingal Devi temple complex, local officials said. The blast destroyed that shed and an office building and sent flames and concrete into the night air. The main temple itself was not significantly damaged.
Police have opened a criminal inquiry, investigating 15 temple officials and the contractors who supplied them fireworks for culpable homicide and illegally storing explosives, and officials in Kerala state have ordered a judicial inquiry. The century-old Puttingal temple traditionally holds competitive fireworks displays at the end of the seven-day celebration, but local authorities said no this year, according to A. Shainamol, the district's top official. "They were clearly told that no permission would be given for any kind of fireworks."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the injured and families of the dead on Sunday evening, calling the incident "heart-rending and shocking beyond words." His office said the families of victims will get about $3,000 and the wounded will get about $750 in compensation, and all hospital care is being provided at no cost. You can learn more and watch witnesses describe the explosion in the Reuters video below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Kenya arrests alleged ant smugglers
speed read Two young Belgians have been charged for attempting to smuggle ants out of the country to exotic pet buyers
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Mexico extradites 29 cartel figures amid US tariff threat
Speed Read The extradited suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought after killing a US narcotics agent
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Leonard Peltier released from prison
Speed Read The Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents had his life sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years
Speed Read The former New Jersey senator was convicted on federal bribery and corruption charges last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Police ID driver of exploded Cybertruck, can't see motive
Speed Read An Army Green Beret detonated a homemade bomb in a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US