THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (AP) — A massive fire that broke out during a fireworks display Sunday in a south Indian temple has killed more than 100 people and injured at least 380 others.
Officials say the fire started when a spark from a fireworks show ignited a separate batch of fireworks being stored at the temple complex in Paravoor village.
Thousands of people were packed into the temple complex when a big explosion erupted around 3 a.m., officials said. The blaze then spread quickly through the temple, trapping devotees within.
A local resident said successive explosions sent huge chunks of concrete flying up to a half mile away.
The temple holds an annual fireworks display at the end of a week-long festival honoring a Hindu goddess.
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049-c-18-(Nirmala (nuhr-MAHL-'uh) George, AP correspondent)-"of the explosion"-AP correspondent Nirmala George reports more than 100 people were killed and at least 380 others were injured when a massive fire broke out during a fireworks display in a Hindu temple. (10 Apr 2016)
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051-c-18-(Nirmala (nuhr-MAHL-'uh) George, AP correspondent)-"the fireworks display"-AP correspondent Nirmala George reports the tragedy occurred when a spark from the show set off some fireworks being stored at the temple complex. (10 Apr 2016)
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050-c-12-(Nirmala (nuhr-MAHL-'uh) George, AP correspondent)-"running in panic"-AP correspondent Nirmala George reports the blaze apparently started when a spark from the fireworks show ignited a separate batch of fireworks stored at the temple complex. (10 Apr 2016)
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