Tragedy struck Thrissur Pooram, often called the mother of all temple festivals in Kerala, a thick branch of a banyan tree broke off and fell on a procession of artists claiming 2 lives in the early hours of Saturday, officials said.
“It happened in a second. We heard a sound and branch came down heavily. Since we were carrying heavy instruments we could not run also,” said one of the injured, P Parameswaran, a flutist. The deceased have identified as N Rameshan and P Radhakrishnan, both employed with Thiruvambady temple. There were around 60 people at the site when the tragedy struck.
District collector S Shanavas said the incident happened around 12.30 am and more than 25 people were injured in the freak mishap. A major tragedy was averted by the timely intervention of authorities after two caparisoned elephants ran amok in the melee but were later brought in control and chained.
State cooperation minister A C Moyideen visited the spot and said it was a freak accident. “It was least expected. A big contingent of police and fire personnel were at the site and that really helped to limit the damage,” he said.
The injured include percussion instrument artists, policemen and office-bearers of the temple boards. In view of the tragedy, the festival committee has called off the firework event scheduled later in the night.
{{/usCountry}}The injured include percussion instrument artists, policemen and office-bearers of the temple boards. In view of the tragedy, the festival committee has called off the firework event scheduled later in the night.
{{/usCountry}}“Some of the fireworks were already filled. Dismantling of them will be more dangerous. So we light them just to destroy them,” said G Ramesh, secretary of Paramekavu temple. He said timely intervention of all averted a big tragedy and stampede.
The Pooram was being held after big uncertainty and it was allowed after several rounds of discussion without spectators.
The largest cultural pageant of the state, Pooram, was started in the late 18th century by the erstwhile King of Kochi Sakthan Thamburan. Every year, the festival is held at Vadukunathan temple in Thrissur but last year it was not held in view of the pandemic situation. Usually, more than two million devotees take part in the 10-day celebration which culminates with a musical ensemble and grand fireworks. It is also a major tourist attraction of the state but the pandemic took sheen out of the festival last year and this time.
On Friday the state reported 28,447 fresh Covid-19 cases with a high test positivity rate of 21.78 per cent.