Death of eight Ayyappa devotees in Hubballi fire accident brings to the fore safety issues
The Hindu
Tragic fire mishap at Ayyappa devotees' tiny enclosure in Hubballi highlights safety concerns and illegal construction issues.
The death of the eight of the nine Ayyappa devotees who suffered burns in a fire mishap in Hubballi has brought to the fore the issue of safety of devotees who stay for over a month in tiny places for carrying out various rituals after wearing the Ayyappa Mala.
The first floor of the building adjoining the Shiva (Eshwar) Temple at Achhavvana Colony in Sainagar of Hubballi where the fire broke out is just an 8” x 10” enclosure.
The Ayyappa devotees were sleeping after performing rituals and bhajans at night when the fire caused by an LPG leakage engulfed them in the early hours of December 23.
They were using the tiny enclosure to prepare their food using LPG stove and had kept their clothes and other belongings there.
What is shocking is that there is no stairway to reach the first floor of the building and the devotees were dependent on a ladder to make use of the space available there.
When the mishap occurred, in their desperate attempt to save themselves, a few jumped out of the building. It has now emerged that the building itself is illegally built encroaching upon a municipal corporation property.
Already, pressure is mounting on the municipal authorities to demolish the structure with some local residents raising their voice. They have also spoken of the need for building a community hall for the purpose.
'Telangana doing well in Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme'
Join The Hindu in School Science Festival in Madikeri on December 13 for an exciting inter-school competition in science and math.
Discover Karnataka's rich heritage at GI Mahotsav 3.0, showcasing unique Geographical Indication products at CFTRI, Mysuru.
IndiGo flight disruptions lead to a five-fold increase in charter jet demand, especially from Hyderabad, as travelers seek alternatives.
Setting up ‘happiness centres’ is a poll plank put forth by E.S. Rakesh Pai, the LDF candidate for Chathari ward (no.16) in Tripunithura municipality
Riyan Parag expresses confidence in returning to India colors once fully fit, despite recent struggles in domestic cricket.
Nagercoil Corporation supports local startups by offering subsidized workspaces, fostering innovation and growth in the Kanniyakumari district.
IndiGo flight cancellations force newlyweds to attend their Hubballi reception virtually, connecting with 650 guests via video call.
All IndiGo flights at Bengaluru airport are cancelled until 10.59 p.m. on December 5; passengers advised to check status.
Supreme Court emphasizes judges' vigilance against AI risks, ensuring it won't dominate the judicial process amidst concerns over bias and inaccuracies.
Supreme Court rules temple funds must be protected for religious purposes, not used to support struggling cooperative banks.
Chinnaiah remains in prison despite bail granted, pending sureties for his release in the Dharmasthala perjury case.
Discover why flooring is the focal point of modern home design, blending aesthetics, comfort, and durability in Indian interiors.