2. CONTENTS
1.Introduction
2.The Event/Disaster
2.1. Description of the event
2.2.Impact/Loss
2.3. Relief and Response
2.4. Aftermath
3.Lessons learnt
4.About the fireworks and explosives used in pyrotechnics
5.Police investigation
6.Objectives of memorandum
7.Conclusion
8.References
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3. INTRODUCTION
➔ The Puttingal Devi Temple at Paravoor was holding its annual festival which is popularly known as ‘Meena
Bharani Ulsavam’.
➔ The festival of was scheduled from 04-04-2016 to 10-04-2016 with various stage programmes, procession
and fireworks display.
➔ That year, the District Collector did not give permission to conduct fireworks competitions, yet the temple
authorities went ahead with the contest.
➔ On the last day of the festival, on 10-04-2016 at around 3.13 am, a massive explosion occurred at the
venue.
➔ Immediately after the disaster, rescue and relief operations were undertaken by the local people and the
State Government to evacuate those injured to hospitals nearby.
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4. Timeline of incident
Date Day Time Incident……………………………………….
03.04.2016 Sunday - The annual festival of Paravoor commences
09.04.2016 Saturday - The final day of festivities
23:30 Fireworks at Puttingal Temple, Kollam begins
10.04.2016 Sunday 3:13 Firecrackers explodes off target and falls on store house of the cracker
10.04.2016 Sunday - Police Intervenes
10.04.2016 Sunday - Rescue operations begin
10.04.2016 Sunday 5.00 Event raised as L2. Support from all departments of the State requested
10.04.2016 Sunday 6.23 Event reported to NDRF HQ and NDMA Control Room
10.04.2016 Sunday 6:30 Fire at the temple brought under control
10.04.2016 Sunday 7.00 Event raised as L3. Support for medical care from national level
responding forces requested via SEOC
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5. THE EVENT/DISASTER
Description of the Event
➔ The fire tragedy occurred at Puttingal Devi temple during the celebration of the festival of Bharani Star. The
incident occurred on the 10th of April in 2016, Sunday, around 3:00 am.
➔ More than 10,000 people were present in the temple premises during the fire tragedy due to the celebration
of the festival. The tragedy was caused as a result of a cracker popularly known as ‘amittu’ (a spherical
shaped cracker which goes up in the sky and bursts to show colourful sparks ending with a sound),
accidentally falling into a fireworks stockpile towards the end of the show.
➔ It resulted in intermittent explosions that ripped through the concrete buildings and even ignited the temple
in the fire. The fire spread in the entire premise rapidly.
➔ The locals reported that the blast could be felt at a distance of 1 kilometre away from the temple. As the
gathered mass of spectators tried to flee from the explosions, incidents of stampede occurred.
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6. Impact/Loss
Human loss
Hospitalisation costs
Houses damaged
One hundred and seven (107) lives were lost
in the disaster. Government declared Rs. 10
lakhs to the families of the bereaved (Rs. 4
lakhs from SDRF and remaining from CM’s
Distress Relief Fund), Rs. 2 lakhs to severely
injured and Rs. 50,000 to injured and all
hospitals were instructed not to charge for
treatments rendered to the victims.
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7. Agriculture
Clearance of debris from affected area
A rapid assessment of affected area indicates that debris and direct
pollutants from the 3.43 km2 area needs to be contained and
removed. This debris includes pollutants, concrete blocks,
firecracker dust and toxic waste, the composition of which is still
unknown.
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8. Wells
The disaster site was visited by experts from State
Pollution Control Board. As many as 200 open
wells in the area have been contaminated or
damaged in the disaster.
Relief assistance for clothing & utensils
A lot of people who visited the temple lost their
belongings, clothes and utensils.
Search and Rescue
The services of Indian Air Force, Indian Army,
Indian Navy, National Disaster Response Force
and Coast Guard were used by the State
Government with the support of Ministry of Home
Affairs.
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9. Drinking water supply
The disaster struck the state in the peak of
summer. As many as 15 tankers of 10,000
litres were being operated in the region to
ensure safe drinking water. The costs are
roughly ₹15,000/trip.
Kerala State Electricity Board
The entire power supply network of the area
was damaged due to the disaster. A rough
estimate shows that as many as 100 minor
poles and two transformers were damaged in
the event.
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10. RELIEF AND RESPONSE
The emergency team, on reaching the
spot, had to use bulldozers to clear the
area to search for the survivors. A team
of specialist doctors was sent from
AIIMS, Delhi to assist in the local
hospitals for the treatment of the burn
victims. The rescue teams were reported
to be reached late to the spot according
to the local.
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11. AFTERMATH
An immediate investigation was ordered. The High Court of India, after two days of the incident, banned
the use of high-decibel firecrackers between sunset and sunrise across the nation. The police had booked
the person responsible for storing the crackers and fireworks that was ten times more than the permissible
limit. The temple officials, according to the Indian Express, were reported to be missing.
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12. LESSONS LEARNT
The Puttingal Temple Fire Tragedy was caused only because of negligence and strong violations of fire safety norms and
regulations. Lack of preparedness is another major reason. Following are the issues that caused this devastating incident:
i) Violation of Safety Rules and Regulations: The temple authorities had gone ahead with the show, despite the denial of
permission by the district administration for the fireworks display on safety grounds.
(ii) No adherence to Fire Safety Measures: No proper arrangement such as fire tender, first aid facilities, zoning, evacuation
plan for a large crowd was done before conducting such an event. The most dangerous part was different groups competing
with one another and made the event a test of their financial muscle and firepower. Banned substances were freely used.
iii) Enforcement of Laws: The district administration, with the help of the local police, could have taken action, but either they
ignored the risks or were overcome by the popular interest.
iv) Structural Irregularities: The temple and the surroundings were not disaster-proof which resulted in death of many people
from heavy concrete debris that fell on them because the fireworks ignited a warehouse of explosives. Demarcation of the
space where the firecracker display was to take place was done without much thought about the fire risk and adherence to
norms of NBC and PESO.
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13. ➔ The Kerala Fire and Rescue Services had not given clearance for the fireworks display at the Puttingal
Devi Temple on the fateful day. It was denied due to insufficient space as the temple area was
occupied by makeshift shops, stage and the crowd that throngs the venue .
➔ The DM and ADM too had denied permission for the pyrotechnics at site on a petition filed by senior
citizen Pankajakshyamma who lives in the vicinity of temple. The ADM issued an order banning
pyrotechnics after information that the temple committee was planning competitive pyrotechnic display
which posed threat to the lives and property of people in the area as it had about 11 houses. But the
temple committee had the backing of local politicians who put pressure on police to enable the
organizers to go ahead with fireworks. They have also not followed the 100 meter safe distance.
➔ As per rules, there should not be any school, hospital or houses within 100m of the radius of fireworks
display; this law was breached as well.
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14. ABOUT THE FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVES USED IN PYROTECHNICS
➔ Firecracker (cracker, noise maker, banger, or bunger) is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount
of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a
heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound. They are generally made of cardboard or plastic, with flash powder or
black powder as the propellant.
➔ The key to loud firecrackers, however, although in part lying in the propellant substance, is pressure.The entire firecracker must
be very tightly packed in order for it to work best.
➔ Gunpowder, also known as black powder is a granular mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur
and charcoal act as fuels, and the saltpeter is an oxidizer. Sulfur also lowers the temperature required to ignite the mixture,
thereby increasing the rate of combustion. Because of its burning properties and the amount of heat and gas volume that it
generates, gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in firearms and as a pyrotechnic composition in fireworks.
➔ Potassium nitrate (KNO3) is the most important ingredient in terms of both bulk and function because the combustion process
releases oxygen from the potassium nitrate (but Potassium chlorate is banned in India for use in fire crackers as it is highly
reactive chemical and very sensitive to friction when mixed with sulphur), promoting the rapid burning of the other ingredients.
➔ To reduce the likelihood of accidental ignition by static electricity, the granules of modern black powder are typically coated
with graphite, which prevents the build-up of electrostatic charge.Gunpowder is classified as a low explosive because of its
relatively slow decomposition rate and consequently low brisance.
➔ Low explosives deflagrate at subsonic speeds, whereas high explosives detonate, producing a supersonic wave. Gunpowder
burning rate increases with pressure, so it will burst containers but just burns in the open. Ignition of the powder packed behind
a bullet must generate enough pressure to force it from the muzzle at high speed, but not enough to rupture the gun barrel. But
high explosives (nitro-explosives) use alternatives such as ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO).
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15. POLICE INVESTIGATION
➔ A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court had granted permission to the Crime Branch to go ahead
with the enquiry into Puttingal temple Tragedy & asked the investigation team to submit a report on
the progress made in the investigation on 18 May 2016.
➔ The Crime branch CID took over the investigation from the Paravur police and registered cases
under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 188 (disobedience to order duly
promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Explosives Act
(unlawfully and maliciously causing explosion that endanger life and property). They have also
violated the Supreme Court’s direction that fireworks must not be used beyond 10pm.
➔ Five persons from Devaswom Committee have been arrested by Crime branch with assistance from
local police. A case has been registered against a father son duo, who had organized the fireworks
display and illegally stored about 150 kg of crackers at the storehouse. Police seized 3 cars laden
with explosives about 500m away from the shrine.
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16. Details of cases registered :
i. Crime No. 711/16, U/S 323, 326, 308, 427, 304, 188 r/w 34 & Sec IV of Explosive substances Act
Brief of the case: Due to the tragic incident around 98 persons were dead and more than 380 persons
were injured and taken to different hospitals for treatment.
ii. Crime No. 713/16, U/S 9(B) (I) b of Explosive Act 1884
Brief of the Case: Three deserted vehicles were seen and when searched vehicles were filled with
explosive items for using in Firework and vehicle taken in custody and above case registered. Director
General Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, visited the site along with senior officials to assess the
situation. A preliminary investigation of Fire and rescue Services revealed that banned chemicals were
used for the pyrotechnics (for loud crackers).
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17. OBJECTIVES OF MEMORANDUM
➔ The Tenth Finance Commission held the view that ‘if a calamity of rare severity occurs, it should be
dealt with as a national calamity, requiring additional assistance and support from the Centre,
beyond what is envisaged under the CRF scheme’.
➔ It was submitted to seek special grant from Government of India for rehabilitation of families of
those who died and got injured.
➔ It was intended to consider this disaster as rarest of rare incidents.
➔ The affected community required prolonged medical treatment and psycho-social care. The State
Government requested Government of India to consider the Puttingal Temple Fire Cracker
Explosion as a ‘National Calamity’ of rare severity requiring additional assistance and support from
Government of India, beyond what is envisaged under the CRF scheme.
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18. CONCLUSION
➔ The ‘foreman’s certificate’ is issued by the Controller of Explosive to a person who is conversant with safe
manufacture, storage, transportation,handling of explosives.
➔ The basic chemistry of explosives and professional training on firecracker management is essential to enable a
person engaging with public display of fireworks. Individuals holding foreman’s certificate have not undergone any
kind of professional training or certification; rather they learned the manufacturing and usage from their
predecessors or traditional groups.
➔ Hence, professional training and certification has to be brought in to make the sector safe and scientific.
➔ The incident raises a question on risk regulatory mechanisms and compliance. Event organizers and regional
community pressure channelized the risk accumulation to the unlicensed firework event. The disaster struck is a
clear example of the lack of enforcement of existing regulations or festival mismanagement that disturbs the safety
concerns of a community with the power of religious sentiments.
➔ The traditions and culture imposing potential risk on the community need to be revisited on safety facet.
Enforcement agencies can utilize community involvement and public intelligence to overcome the demands. Public
and event organizers need to be sensitized about the safety regulations and impacts of fireworks.
➔ Above all, stringent enforcement and compliance of enacted rule of law is of prime importance to have safe
firework events and to make public gatherings safe.
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21. REFERENCES
➔ Parkash, Surya. (2016). Brief Report on Reconnaissance Study of Puttingal Temple Fire Incident
(Sunday, 10 April 2016), Paravur, Kollam District, Kerala State. 10.13140/RG.2.1.1782.4249.
➔ “Bandyopadhyay, C., & Manna, M. (2020). Fires in India: Learning Lessons for Urban Safety. New
Delhi - 110001: National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM); Ministry of Home Affairs
➔ Illiyas FT, Mani SK. Routine to Rare Risk – A Case Study of Firecracker Explosion Disaster in India.
PLOS Currents Disasters. 2018 Sep 27 . Edition 1. doi:
10.1371/currents.dis.d5a27e47c8decbd4263813a15c47e07e.
➔ Sdma.kerala.gov.in. 2018. [online] Available at: <https://sdma.kerala.gov.in/wp-
content/uploads/2018/11/1.Memorandum-Puttingal-Temple-2016.pdf> [Accessed 24 January 2022].
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