New Delhi: In a tragic incident more than 30 people got injured after firecrackers exploded at a football ground in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Monday. The incident occurred just before the final match between United F.C. Nellikut and K.M.G. Maavoor.
According to police, “The incident took place at a football ground where firecrackers were used before the start of a football match. The firecrackers burst and spread into the ground, where people were sitting to watch the match.”
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as injured spectators scrambled for safety. Police officials confirmed that all the injured individuals were taken to a nearby private hospital for treatment. Most of the injured were children and two spectators are in serious condition.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the premature explosion. It remains unclear whether safety precautions were in place while using firecrackers at the event. The football tournament committee said it will bear the treatment cost of the injured.
#kerela :A fireworks display ahead of a sevens football match final at Therattammal near Areekode, Malappuram turned tragic as sparks flew towards the spectators leaving several injured. pic.twitter.com/RZQP11GMmw
— Dilip kumar (@PDilip_kumar) February 19, 2025
Forest fire in Kambamala
In a separate incident, a forest fire broke out in the Kambamala region of Wayanad on Tuesday just a day after flames had previously ravaged about 10 hectares of grassland. The sudden recurrence of the fire has led the forest department to suspect foul play.
Officials battled for hours to control the flames on Monday but the fire spread again the next day. North Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Martin Lovell raised concerns stating that the fire did not seem to have occurred naturally.
Lovell said, “We noticed that these fires happen on days when there is a tiger problem in the area. This suggests someone might have deliberately set the forest on fire.” Authorities are now investigating the incident to determine whether the fire was an act of firebombing.
Firecracker explosion at a Sevens football match in Malappuram, Kerala, injures over 30 spectators, including children. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
