At least 154 people were injured in a fireworks explosion during the Theyyam festival at the Veerarkavu Temple in Kerala’s Kasargod district, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

“Shocking news came from Nileshwaram in Kasargod district last night. About 154 people have been injured and admitted to different hospitals. This Theyyam festival is a tradition in North Malabar. Every family participates in the Theyyam… It starts from the Veerarkavu Temple,” Kasargod MP Rajmohan Unnithan told ANI.

The explosion occured in the fireworks storage area of the temple at around 12:30 a.m. during the annual Kaliyattam festival. The injured are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Kasargod and nearby districts.

(With inputs from ANI)