Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)
Kasargod, Oct 31: Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the firecracker tragedy at the Oottabalam Veerarkav Daivasthana near the city’s highway. They have been remanded to judicial custody.
The arrested individuals are committee president Padannakad Chandrashekharan, secretary K T Bharathan, and member Rathish. Another accused, Vijayan, remains absconding. Police reported that eight committee members are implicated in the case.
A massive explosion occurred during the Vellatam event at around 2.15 am on Tuesday, when a spark from a firecracker fell on a shed where crackers were stored for the annual Kaliattam of Moovalamkuli Chamundi at Veerarkav.
A total of 154 people sustained injuries in the mishap. They were admitted to A J and K S Hegde hospitals, Fr Muller’s Hospital in Mangaluru, and various hospitals in Kannur and Kanhangad. By Tuesday evening, 52 people had been discharged. Currently, 69 people are receiving treatment in 13 hospitals, with eight of them reported to be in critical condition. Additionally, 29 people remain in ICU.
As of now, 21 individuals are receiving medical care at three private hospitals in Mangaluru.