The blast occurred in Kerala state's Kasaragod district when a spark from the fireworks display ignited the storage area where pyrotechnics were kept, with NDTV reporting that temple officials had conducted the display without proper permits, leading to the arrest of the temple's president and secretary.
The incident comes as India prepares for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights beginning Thursday, which traditionally sees increased fireworks usage across the country for celebrations and ceremonies.
Last year, a similar accident at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Madhya Pradesh state killed 23 people, highlighting the recurring safety concerns around fireworks storage and handling in India, where such explosives are commonly used in religious festivals and weddings.
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