Over 150 individuals sustained injuries, with eight reportedly in critical condition, after a fireworks accident occurred during a temple festival in Kasaragod, Kerala, early Monday morning, according to local police.

The accident happened around 12:30 a.m. at the Anjootambalam Veerarkavu Temple, where the annual Kaliyattam festival was being celebrated. Authorities suspect the blaze began when a nearby fireworks storage unit caught fire, leading to the tragic incident.

Injured festival-goers were transported to various hospitals in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for medical care. Following the news, senior district officials, including the district collector and police chief, arrived at the temple site to oversee the situation. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, as community members gather to provide support to the affected families.

Separately, the Kerala Police registered an FIR regarding disruptions at April’s Thrissur Pooram festival, despite the festival proceeding as planned. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had previously attributed the controversy to "exaggerated campaigns" by the Opposition.

The FIR, which does not name specific individuals, includes charges such as criminal conspiracy, inciting unrest, and offending religious sentiments. The document describes an alleged plan to stoke tensions by manipulating religious beliefs. In a public statement, Vijayan claimed the Sangh Parivar sought to disrupt the event, which is celebrated for its elaborate elephant and drum parades. He further accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of aligning with the Sangh Parivar to disrupt the traditional festival.