India Temple Fire Update: Over 100 Killed, 350 Injured; Officials Register Case Against Temple Administration

UPDATE: 5:37 a.m. EDT — The government in the southern Indian state of Kerala have ordered a criminal probe into the tragedy at a temple in Paravoor, near Kollam, that has killed over 100 people and injured 350 others, according to local media reports. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that a report for the judicial will be submitted in six months.

Indo-Asian News Service, an Indian news agency, reported citing police sources that top officials of the Puttingal Temple, where the incident took place, have gone missing. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Kerala Sunday and was en route to Kollam.

UPDATE: 12:53 a.m. EDT — At least 102 people have been killed and 350 others injured during a fire at a temple in Paravoor, near Kollam in southern Indian state of Kerala, The Hindu, a local newspaper, reported Sunday.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that families of those killed during the fire, which is suspected to have caused due to the use of firecrackers, will receive a compensation of about $3,000 while about $750 will be given to those injured in the incident, NDTV reported.

UPDATE: 11:44 p.m. EDT — At least 84 people have been killed and 350 others injured after a fire broke early Sunday at a temple in Paravoor, near Kollam, in southern India, according to local media.

Officials suspect that the fire was caused during a celebration near Puttingal Temple that involved the use of firecrackers. Police reportedly said that they had earlier warned temple authorities to restrict the use of fireworks. According to local media, cases have been registered against the firework organizers and the temple administration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his Twitter account to express his sadness and condolences to the victims’ families.

Original Story:

At least 77 people were killed and more than 150 injured early Sunday after a fire swept through a temple in Paravoor, near Kollam, in southern India, IndiaToday reported. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, the report said.

The cause of the 3:30 a.m. fire was not immediately known, but it broke out during a celebration near Puttingal Temple that involved the use of firecrackers, IndiaToday reported.

Police had not given permission for fireworks to be used, the Indian Express reported, citing information from Asianet.

The fire has since been brought under control, India's NDTV reported.