Watch: The Huge Explosion When Kollam Temple Fire Began

Kollam, Kerala: The last 30 seconds of a fireworks display at a temple in Kerala's Kollam that turned into a mammoth tragedy, killing more than 100 people and injuring nearly 400, have been recorded on camera.

Local channels have been playing this video, which emerged today.




The Puttingal Devi temple is located about 70 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Thousands were packed into the temple early on Sunday morning for the fireworks show when a stray spark landed on a stockpile in a storehouse, triggering a huge blast that tore through concrete buildings.

The police is investigating who was responsible for the fireworks display going ahead even though local authorities had refused permission.

The Kerala government has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the disaster and police have registered a criminal case against temple authorities.

Footage of the disaster showed a series of explosions with flames and huge plumes of smoke.

Firefighters and police battled to douse the fire and rescue those trapped at the complex, but some victims were charred beyond recognition and more than 30 of the 106 dead have yet to be identified.

Local lawmaker N Premachandran said a fireworks competition traditionally held every year between different groups had been staged at the temple, drawing thousands to watch.