Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an ex gratia of ₹2 crore after 13 people died while several others were reported injured after a massive fire broke out at a fireworks warehouse in Mundathikode area of Thrissur district.
Ex gratia of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased whereas ₹50,000 will be given to those injured in the incident.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), of the injured, at least five people are currently in critical condition, two have been admitted to the ward, while 17 others have sustained minor injuries in the incident, ANI reported.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has asked for professional medical care for those injured in the blast. She also instructed the Thrissur Medical College to make all necessary arrangements for their treatment and ordered the deployment of sufficient number of ambulances, including units of Kanivu 108, at the site.
PTI reported that at least 40 people were present in the shed at the time of the blast, many of whom suffered burn injuries. Fireworks were being prepared ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram, which falls on April 26.
Leaders condole the loss of life
Expressing condolences, Prime Minister Modi’s office in a post on X wrote, “Saddened to hear of the loss of life due to the accident at a biscuit factory in Thrissur, Keralam. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injuries be healed as soon as possible.”
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also took his X and wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear about the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing facility in Thrissur, Kerala, just days before Pooram. The tragic loss of life and the extent of the devastation is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. The government must ensure speedy rescue work and immediate medical attention for all those injured.”
Expressing deep grief, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said he was pained to hear the extent of the devastation and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
However, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not issue any comments on the tragedy.
Explosion at a firecracker factory in Maharashtra
In a separate incident, PTI reported that at least one person died and five others were injured after an explosion ripped through a firecracker factory in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Tuesday. In addition, the police detained at least two people in connection with the incident.
Earlier, the administration put the death toll at two, but a corrected statement in the evening said a male worker had died while a woman with 80 percent burns was being treated.
Fire accident in Tamil Nadu
Earlier on April 19, another massive explosion was reported in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhnagar. The explosion took place at the ‘Vanaja’ fireworks factory owned by Muthumanickam at Kattanarpatti near Virudhnagar. The place is located within Vachakarapatti police station limits.
According to ANI, at least 23 people were killed and several others injured in the incident.
