Over 150 people were injured in an unexpected explosion at the Veererkavu temple in Nileshwaram, Kasaragod district, Kerala, when firecrackers stored at the site ignited during the Vellatam Theyyam ritual in the early hours of October 29, 2024. The incident occurred around 12:20 a.m. as crowds, including families, gathered to watch the ritual, unaware of the potential risk from the nearby fireworks.

Among the injured, at least eight individuals are reported to be in critical condition, receiving treatment in hospitals across Kasaragod and nearby districts. Witnesses and officials described the scene as chaotic, with stray sparks from the ongoing fireworks triggering the accident.

"Shocking news came from Nileshwaram in Kasaragod 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 Veererkavu Temple," Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan said, highlighting the cultural importance of the ritual.

The explosion reportedly took place in the fireworks storage area, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures around such events. Unnithan expressed concerns about the oversight in security, remarking, "By the grace of God, only 150 people were injured in this incident. The police were not vigilant about this festival."

Local authorities are currently investigating the incident, and hospital staff are working round-the-clock to treat the wounded.

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