At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathicode, located in Kerala’s Thrissur district, on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities said around 40 workers were suspected to be inside the shed at the time of the blast, with many suffering severe burn injuries, several of them reported to be in critical condition.
The explosion occurred at a temporary fireworks preparation shed set up on behalf of a temple devaswom ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram festival, scheduled for April 26. According to officials, the blast happened around 3:30 pm, and multiple intermittent explosions continued for some time afterward, severely hampering rescue operations.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority confirmed the death toll at eight, stating that five bodies were recovered from the site, while body parts of three others were also found amid the debris. Rescue teams, including fire and police personnel, rushed to the spot and began evacuating the injured, who were transported to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed authorities to ensure immediate and comprehensive medical care for the injured. He instructed that specialist doctors be deployed if required and ordered coordination among police, fire and rescue services, health, revenue, and disaster management departments to manage relief operations. Health Minister Veena George also issued directions to strengthen medical response at Government Medical College, Thrissur, and Thrissur General Hospital.
Local officials said the blast site consisted of multiple temporary sheds located in an isolated area amid paddy fields, where firecrackers were being manufactured for festival-related use. Residents reported hearing loud explosions that were audible several kilometres away, while nearby houses also sustained minor structural damage due to the impact.
A magisterial-level inquiry has been ordered by the Thrissur district collector to determine the cause of the explosion and assess safety lapses. Authorities are also investigating whether extreme heat conditions or handling errors contributed to the accident, as rescue teams continue search and recovery operations at the site.
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