Accidents related to fireworks are nothing new to Kerala which is famous for its temple festivals as fireworks are an integral part of these festivals. However, the tragedy on Sunday at Puttingal Devi temple in the coastal district of Kollam is the biggest ever witnessed by the state.
It was in 1952 that the state witnessed another massive fireworks-related tragedy at Sabarimala in which 68 lives were lost.
Since then, there has been more than 400 such accidents, according to media reports. And what is more alarming is the fact that with each passing year, the number of deaths related to fireworks accidents are only increasing.
While as many as 38 people had lost their lives in different accidents related to fireworks in 2007, the death toll went up to 57 in 2009 and 66 in 2010. The accidents had claimed 58 lives in 2011. Most number of casualties related to such accidents have been reported from Palakkad.