In pictures: India temple fire

Fire at temple — Image caption,
Reports said the fire started when an explosion was set off in a store of fireworks ready for celebrations of a local festival.

Indian bystanders carry an injured man after an explosion and fire at The Puttingal Devi Temple (Photo: AFP)

A temple then collapsed, causing many of the deaths. A witness said there was an outage at the complex after the first explosion, further complicating rescue efforts.

Indian officials and bystanders gather beside a collapsed building after an explosion and fire at The Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur

Emergency teams used bulldozers to rescue those trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building. (Photo: AFP)

Indian medical officials and bystanders carry an injured man from a vehicle into a hospital in Paravur

There were scenes of chaos as emergency teams were slow in reaching the site. Residents said people in nearby areas were hit by flying pieces of concrete. (Photo: AFP)

Indian medical officials use a trolley to transport an injured man from a vehicle into a hospital in Paravur

Some of the injured sustained horrific burns, reports said, and many were in critical condition in several hospitals. (Photo: AFP)

People gather inside the compound of a temple after a fire broke out at a temple in Kollam in the southern state of Kerala

As morning broke, the scale of the tragedy became clear. Hundreds of people reached the site searching for relatives and friends. (Photo: Reuters)

People stand next to debris after a broke out at a temple in Kollam in the southern state of Kerala, India

Officials said permission had been denied for the display because of safety concerns and complaints from residents. An investigation has been opened. (Photo: Reuters)

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