At least 13 people were killed, and five others remain in critical condition in a powerful explosion at a fireworks storage and preparation unit in Thrissur, Kerala, on Tuesday (April 22), said Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). The blast occurred at a facility where fireworks materials were being prepared for Thiruvambady as part of the Thrissur Pooram festival celebrations.
Police, fire, and rescue services, and ambulance teams rushed to the site, and the injured were shifted to Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, and nearby medical facilities.
The explosion was so powerful that its sound was heard several kilometres away, with many residents initially mistaking it for an earthquake. Thick smoke and flames engulfed the area, hampering rescue operations.
Kerala Health Minister on blast at fireworks unit
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "The explosion at the fireworks storage in Thrissur is deeply distressing. Expert medical treatment is being ensured for those who have suffered burns and injuries. Arrangements have been made for treatment at Thrissur Medical College, General Hospital, and other nearby hospitals. A mass casualty protocol has been activated at the Medical College, and the burns unit has been fully equipped. Additional staff have been deployed. Teams of specialist doctors from medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Kozhikode will also arrive to assist in treatment."
Further details regarding the cause of the explosion and possible injuries are awaited.
PM Modi expresses grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives at a cracker factory in Thrissur. PMO in a post on X, quoting PM Modi said, "Saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Thrissur, Keralam. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest."
Prime Minister Modi has also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
25 killed in Virudhunagar firecracker unit blast
The tragedy comes close on the heels of the blast at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu, which claimed 25 lives and left many injured on Sunday.
The explosion occurred at the 'Vanaja' fireworks factory owned by one Muthumanickam, in Kattanarpatti. The accident is one of the deadliest industrial disasters in the region in recent years.
The place is located within the Vachakarapatti police station limits. The unit is reportedly licensed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur.
Eight workers, mostly women, are critically injured with 60 per cent burn injuries. Twelve others, including eight policemen, were injured in a second blast on Sunday evening while rescue operations were underway.
Also Read: Two killed, four injured in explosion at firecracker unit in Maharashtra's Palghar
Also Read: 23 dead, six injured in blast at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar
