Villupuram: Two persons were killed and 27 others injured when firecrackers exploded accidentally during a temple festival in a remote village on the Kalvarayan Hills in the district, about 140 km from here, police said Wednesday.
A sack full of firecrackers kept in the temple premises caught fire and exploded at Perumanatham village late last night, killing two persons on the spot and injuring others,Kallakurichi DSP N Mathivanan told PTI.
"Sparks or flames from lamps lit as part of a ritual for the temple festival is suspected to have ignited a fire and caused the sack full of firecrackers to explode," he said.
The firecrackers had been brought for use during the procession of the temple deity Goddess Mariamman, the police officer said adding further investigation was on.
The temple premises was teeming with devotees at the time of the accident. The injured had been hospitalised in Salem and Villupuram after first aid in Kallakurichi, Mathivanan said.
The deceased were identified as 45-year old M Pitchan, who had brought the firecracker sack to the temple premises, and V Chappani (40).
