Two critical after fall during fire walk ritual at temple fest

The injured have been identified as Kathiravan (33) of Ayanavaram and Manoharan (56) of Villivakkam.

Police said the victims have sustained 41 and 53 per cent burns respectively, while hospital sources at KMCH added that both are undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit.

The incident happened on Sunday night outside Devi Baliamman Temple at Ambedkar Nagar, where scores of devotees had gathered for the annual festival held in the Tamil month of Aadi. Among them were more than 950 devotees who had registered to walk on the fire during the festival.

According to police, Kathirvan, who ran across the pit following others, suddenly lost balance and fell on the pit, with his face hitting the fire first. Fire and Rescue Services personnel who were present at the spot with the special gear rushed to his rescue and took him out of the pit. He was then rushed to KMC in a private ambulance.

The second accident happened minutes afterwards when Manoharan of Annai Teresa Nagar also fell inside while walking in the pit.

This time, however, the rescue personnel had to struggle to rescue Manoharan from the pit due to his size. Kathiravan is an auto driver and while Manoharan is a construction labourer, police said.

Hospital sources said that both victims suffered burn injuries on their faces. A volunteer for the temple festival told DT Next that a similar incident had happened at the same temple seven years ago when four people were injured after falling into fire pit.