At least 13 people have died following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Thrissur, Kerala, with many others injured, five of whom are reported to be in critical condition. About 40 individuals were in the vicinity, assembling firecrackers for an upcoming festival, when the explosion occurred around 15:30 local time on April 22. This blast triggered secondary explosions, complicating rescue operations and impacting nearby homes, with residents mistaking the shock for an earthquake.
Eyewitness accounts report chaotic scenes as locals rushed to assist in rescue efforts, removing both the injured and deceased from the site. Kerala's Revenue Minister, K Rajan, indicated that all firework units preparing for the annual Thrissur Pooram festival had the correct permissions for manufacturing and storing fireworks, which adds an unsettling layer to the tragedy.
This incident is tragically not isolated; it follows another explosion earlier in the week at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu, which left at least 25 dead. Accidental explosions are a recurring issue in India’s firework industry, primarily due to the hazardous materials handled in poorly regulated and often makeshift facilities. In a 2016 incident at the Puttingal Temple in Kollam, more than 100 people were killed due to a similar explosion.
As investigations commence to determine the causes of this latest explosion, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has pledged to provide necessary medical assistance, including specialists from neighboring states for burn victims. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered financial compensation to the families affected by the disaster.
Eyewitness accounts report chaotic scenes as locals rushed to assist in rescue efforts, removing both the injured and deceased from the site. Kerala's Revenue Minister, K Rajan, indicated that all firework units preparing for the annual Thrissur Pooram festival had the correct permissions for manufacturing and storing fireworks, which adds an unsettling layer to the tragedy.
This incident is tragically not isolated; it follows another explosion earlier in the week at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu, which left at least 25 dead. Accidental explosions are a recurring issue in India’s firework industry, primarily due to the hazardous materials handled in poorly regulated and often makeshift facilities. In a 2016 incident at the Puttingal Temple in Kollam, more than 100 people were killed due to a similar explosion.
As investigations commence to determine the causes of this latest explosion, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has pledged to provide necessary medical assistance, including specialists from neighboring states for burn victims. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered financial compensation to the families affected by the disaster.
