A massive explosion demolished a rented house in Keezhra, Kannapuram, in Kerala’s Kannur district at approximately 1:50 AM on Saturday, killing one person and injuring several others, police confirmed. The blast, suspected to have occurred during the illegal manufacture of crude bombs or firecrackers, reduced the house to rubble and caused significant damage to four neighboring properties, cracking walls and dislodging doors.

The property, owned by retired schoolteacher Keezhara Govindan, was leased to two men running a spare parts shop in Payyannur, roughly 40 km away. Their identities remain unconfirmed, as does the number of people present during the explosion. Local residents reported seeing dismembered human remains amid the debris, though police are awaiting forensic analysis to verify fatalities.

The Kannapuram police, alongside forensic experts and a bomb detection and disposal squad, are investigating the scene to ensure no residual explosives remain. Initial findings suggest the blast was accidental, likely caused by mishandling low-grade gunpowder, possibly sourced from fireworks or quarries.

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Kannur has a history of such incidents, often linked to political rivalries. In April 2024, a similar explosion in Panur killed a CPI(M) worker, raising concerns about illegal bomb-making in the region. The police are intensifying patrols and raids to curb the illegal diversion of explosives, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan previously acknowledging the issue in the state assembly.

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