In Kerala, over 150 persons suffered burn injuries when crackers stored for a temple festival caught fire and exploded near Neeleshwaram in Kasargod district around midnight last. 97 persons injured in the mishap have been admitted to various hospitals. Of these, the condition of eight is said to be serious. Six persons who are critically injured have been shifted to a private hospital in Kozhikode, of which, four have been put on ventilator support. 

Several women and children were among those injured. Police have taken into custody the President and Secretary of the temple committee. Kasaragod district administration officials said prior permission was not obtained by the temple authorities for storing the crackers.

The mishap took place at the Veerarkavu Temple at Neeleshwaram, where a large number of devotees had gathered for the temple festival. The mishap is believed to have taken place from a spark which accidentally fell on the storage area where the crackers were kept. 

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