Fireworks accident in church: Case against priest

KOTTAYAM: Errattupettah police have registered a case against certain persons including church priest in connection with the incident in which one student was killed and nine including a policeman were injured in a fireworks accident during Aruvithura Church festival. The person who conducted the fireworks has also been booked. The police have started initial investigation.

Forensic experts reached the accident spot yesterday itself and collected evidence.    

Earlier, the police had officially informed the church officials not to conduct fireworks as the church didn’t have sufficient safety measures for it. The fireworks was conducted, neglecting these instructions. The church priest and church committee members have been made accused in the case. As one person was killed in the incident, the case will be filed for homicide without intent.
The primary assessment is that the mishap occurred because the church authorities hurried to finish the fireworks session as it was drizzling.

Three persons with injuries have overcome dangerous condition, according to doctors. Alan (17), Jiyo Roy (17) and Jose (61) have been shifted to wards from ICU.

Senior Civil police officer K M Mathew (43) from Vaikkom police station and Alan (15) from Chemmannoor Alummoodu are under treatment in a private hospital.