Fireworks Blast at Indian Temple Injures Over 150

A massive explosion at a fireworks storage facility during a religious festival at Veerarkavu temple injured over 150 individuals in southern India, according to local reports on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday night in Kasargod, located roughly 360 miles northwest of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. Among the injured, eight sustained serious injuries and received medical attention in hospitals across the districts of Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru.

India's notable demand for fireworks during religious celebrations and weddings is fraught with risks. Many are manufactured in unregulated settings, lacking essential safety precautions. This has led to frequent fatal accidents, highlighting a long-standing safety issue with the industry. For instance, an explosion last July at a fireworks facility in southern India resulted in eight fatalities, while a similar incident in 2018 claimed the lives of 17 workers in New Delhi. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)