Two persons who had suffered more than 40 per cent burns in the firecracker explosion in a temple in Kasaragod district on 29th October succumbed to their injuries on Sunday, according to the district administration.

The deceased have been identified as 38-year-old Sandeep, an autorickshaw driver who had suffered 45 per cent burns and Ratheesh, a barber who had suffered more than 60 per cent burns in the firecracker explosion. Ratheesh was on life support system and the end came early Sunday morning.

A total of 154 persons were injured in the blast out of which 98 are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the districts of Mangalore (Karnataka), Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod.

Firecrackers worth Rs 24,000 were stored in a room near the temple where a Theyyam (a traditional ritual common in the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod) festival was taking place.

The mishap occurred when the crackers were burst at a distance of hardly 2 meters from the shed where the explosives were stored. 

The police team investigating the case said that the crackers were burst in violation of the safety rules and guidelines prescribed by the explosive authorities.

The Kasaragod district police have registered a case against the festival committee members under sections 288, 125 (a), 125(b), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, 3(a) and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act which pertain to negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance, act endangering life or personal safety of others, acts performed rashly, or negligently that endanger human life or personal safety and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.