The changes state that any conventional attack on Russia, aided by a nuclear power, could be considered to be a joint attack
world3 days ago
Indian police detained two people Tuesday after a temple fireworks show erupted into a ferocious explosion, leaving almost a hundred people in hospital, eight in a critical condition.
Hundreds were crowded around a Hindu temple at Nileshwaram in the southern state of Kerala on Monday evening to watch the fireworks, videos posted by Indian newspapers showed.
Then, from inside a building, a surge of crackles can be heard, before a powerful ball of flame surges high into the sky.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
"Around eight people are critical, and around 154 have been reported injured, out of which 97 people are admitted in hospital," local police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah told AFP.
"They burst firecrackers very close to the place where they have stored the firecrackers," Dyavaiah said, adding that sparks from the burst crackers reached the cache.
Indian media reports, citing officials, said the blaze caused burns to the faces and hands of those in tightly packed crowd.
Local government official K. Inbasekhar said no permission had been given for the fireworks show. The temple president and secretary had been taken into custody, The Hindu newspaper reported.
Religious gatherings in India have a grim track record of deadly incidents caused by safety lapses and poor crowd management.
In 2016, at least 112 people were killed after a huge explosion caused by a banned fireworks display at a temple marking the Hindu new year.
India is readying for its major fireworks season, a traditional celebration for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, later this week. The spectacular and colourful festival celebrates the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and symbolises the victory of light over darkness.
The fireworks also spew hazardous acrid smoke, and the capital New Delhi has banned firecrackers to curb hazardous air pollution.
Police are often reluctant to act against violators, given the strong religious sentiments attached to the crackers by Hindu devotees.
ALSO READ:
The changes state that any conventional attack on Russia, aided by a nuclear power, could be considered to be a joint attack
world3 days ago
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
This time around, Trump wants the Senate to give up that gatekeeping role and allow him to make 'recess appointments'
world4 days ago
Police allege the offences took place between 2001 and 2019 against 8 victims; the youngest was 17 at the time of the offence
world4 days ago
The two countries have a mutual defence treaty dating back to 1951, which could be invoked if either side came under attack, including in the South China Sea
world4 days ago
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger on Narendra Modi in Abuja on Sunday
world4 days ago
The titleholder's winning answer focused on using each individual's strengths
world5 days ago
The suspects would be interrogated jointly with the Shin Bet internal security agency, police said
world5 days ago