REUTERS
The tragedy at Puttingal Devi temple in Kollam district's Paravur, 70km south of capital Thiruvananthpauram, occurred around 3:10am when more than 10,000 people were present, according to a report.
The temple organizes an annual firework display competition, with different groups putting on successive light shows for thousands of devotees gathered for the last day of a seven-day festival honoring the goddess Bhadrakali, a southern Indian incarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali, the newspaper writes.
This year's competition was taking place even though there was no permission from district authorities, according to the report.
Видео дня
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would reach Kerala immediately.
