Five wanted over India temple fire turn themselves in



KOLLAM, INDIA // Five men wanted over a massive explosion during a banned fireworks display that killed more than 100 people in Kerala surrendered to police early Tuesday, a senior officer said.

The blast ripped through concrete buildings at a Hindu temple complex in Kollam where thousands had gathered on Saturday night to watch the display.

Police had been hunting for the five who went missing after the disaster and initial charges — including culpable homicide not amounting to murder — have been filed against them.

“The five accused who were named in the FIR [first information report] surrendered before the local police,” said S Ananthakrishnan, the head of Kerala’s police crime branch.

“They have now been handed over to the crime branch. They are being questioned and will be formally arrested today.”

Police have said the five were temple officials and contractors for the fireworks display. Another man facing the same initial charges was still in hospital.

Police on Monday also questioned five temple workers involved in staging the fireworks display, but they face no charges at this stage and have been released.

Thousands had packed the temple to celebrate the Hindu New Year festival of Vishu when a stray firework apparently landed on a stockpile of them, triggering the blast and fire that killed 109 people and injured hundreds more.

Witnesses told how the force of the explosion sent concrete slabs and roof tiles slamming into the panicked crowd.

Police said they were investigating who was responsible for holding the fireworks display even though authorities in Kollam district had refused a permit.

Kerala’s High Court is due to hold a hearing on Tuesday to consider an immediate ban on firework displays at all temples in the state, the NDTV news network reported.

A state board, which governs nearly 1,000 temples, said it will not accept such a ban, adding that responsibility for devotees’ safety lies with the government.

The Kerala government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the disaster, which comes as the state heads to the polls next month.

* Agence France-Presse

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  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
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  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Rating: 4/5

 

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris

 
THE POPE'S ITINERARY

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

RESULT

Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: 
Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)    

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

GROUP RESULTS

Group A
Results

Ireland beat UAE by 226 runs
West Indies beat Netherlands by 54 runs

Group B
Results

Zimbabwe tied with Scotland
Nepal beat Hong Kong by five wickets