Published Jan 16, 2023 | 4:18 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 16, 2023 | 4:18 PM
A person lighting Kathina. Representational Image. (Screengrab)
A contractual employee, who was injured in a fireworks accident at the Lord Ayyappa temple premises in Sabarimala in Kerala early this month, succumbed to burn injuries on Monday, 16 January, at the Medical College Hospital in Kottayam.
Karakkadu resident Rajeesh (35) had 40 percent burn injuries in the accident that occurred on 2 January.
Hospital sources said Rajeesh, who was admitted to the ICU of the medical college hospital here died on Monday.
The incident occurred when three people, including Rajeesh, were filling Kathina, a pyro offering, near Malikappuram, which is a small shrine near the main temple. It occurred around 5 pm on 2 January when the three were preparing fireworks at the temple, an officer of Sannidhanam police station had said.
None of the thousands of pilgrims, who were present at the hilltop shrine for “darshan” during the annual pilgrimage season, were injured, he had said.
Soon after the accident, the injured persons were shifted to the base camp hospital in Pamba, and later to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
On 6 January, Cheriyanadu native AR Jayakumar (47), who had suffered 60 percent burn injuries in the same acciden,t died.
Amal (28), who had suffered over 20 percent burn injuries is still undergoing treatment at the medical college hospital.
The three injured persons were employees of the temple who used to deal with fireworks on a daily basis, police said.
It also said that the reason for the mishap is not known.
