Man who organised Kerala temple fireworks show is dead

Thiruvananthapuram, April 12  A contractor who organised Sunday's fireworks show at a temple in Kerala that ended up claiming 111 lives succumbed to injuries here on Tuesday, doctors said.

Surendran, 67, who had taken up the contract for holding the fireworks display at the Puttingal Devi temple in Paravur town, died at the Medical College Hospital here.

Hospital authorities said he breathed his last at 3.35 p.m., two days after he was admitted with serious burn injuries.

"He suffered 90 percent burns and a surgery was conducted on his large intestine. His kidneys were also in a bad condition," a statement from the hospital said.

Surendran had been named an accused by police. His son Umesh, who suffered 50 percent burn injuries, is being treated at the hospital.

Surendran was the second person to die on Tuesday, taking the toll to 111.

After suffering burns, Surendran reportedly told his family members that his license for explosives should be put on his body when he dies.

Seven temple officials arrested for the tragedy have told police that Surendran was given Rs.7 lakh to conduct the fireworks display.