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Three Abandoned Cars With Explosives Found Near Kollam Temple

Three Abandoned Cars With Explosives Found Near Kollam Temple
Onlookers and medias stand amidst the debris in the aftermath of the deadly fire explosion that rocked the Hindu Goddess, Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, 60kms North-West of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on the late evening of April 10, 2016. More than 100 people have died and 350 injured when fireworks meant to be lit for festivities caught fire and exploded near the temple where thousands of people had gathered to witness the extravanganza on the early hours of April 10. / AFP / MANJUNATH KIRAN (Photo credit should read MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images)
MANJUNATH KIRAN via Getty Images
Onlookers and medias stand amidst the debris in the aftermath of the deadly fire explosion that rocked the Hindu Goddess, Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, 60kms North-West of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on the late evening of April 10, 2016. More than 100 people have died and 350 injured when fireworks meant to be lit for festivities caught fire and exploded near the temple where thousands of people had gathered to witness the extravanganza on the early hours of April 10. / AFP / MANJUNATH KIRAN (Photo credit should read MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Three abandoned cars with sacks of explosives have been found near the Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam in Kerala where 108 people died in a fire that broke out on Sunday morning.

A bomb disposal squad has been called to the spot to deal with the cars laden with explosives. The police said that the bombs will be defused by tomorrow. The cars were parked around a kilometre away from the temple.

Around 10,000 people had gathered to watch the fireworks at 3.30 am on Sunday morning when the accident happened that left 400 people injured. Five people have been detained by the Kerala Police on Monday for their involvement in the fireworks display.

A news report suggested that the temple authorities did not have permission to burst the firecrackers. Several of the injured were rushed to a local hospital in Paravur and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

The blast from the fire affected houses next to the temple, shattering window panes and causing injuries to residents, according to multiple reports in the local media.

The fireworks display is part of the traditional celebration at the temple, according to a report in The Indian Express, and there is usually even a competition around it, which did not take place this time.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.