Kerala blaze horror: 13 killed, several injured in massive fire at fireworks unit in Thrissur; PM announces ex gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh after 13 people died while several others were reported injured after a massive fire broke out at a fireworks storage facility in the Mundathikode area of Thrissur district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh after 13 people died while several others were reportedly injured after a massive fire broke out at a fireworks storage facility in the Mundathikode area of Thrissur district in Kerala.
The ex gratia of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while ₹50,000 will be given to those injured in the incident.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), of those injured, at least five people are currently in critical condition, two were admitted to the ward, while 17 others sustained minor injuries in the incident, ANI reported.
Kerala's Health Minister Veena George has asked for expert medical care to be ensured for those injured in the explosion. She also instructed the Thrissur Medical College to make all necessary arrangements for their treatment and ordered the deployment of sufficient ambulances, including Kanivu 108 units, to the site.
PTI reported that at least 40 people were suspected to have been present in the shed during the time of the explosion, with many suffering from burn injuries. The fireworks were being prepared ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram, which falls on 26 April.
Leaders condole loss of lives
Expressing condolences, PM Modi's office, in a post on X, wrote, "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."
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also took to his X and wrote, "Deeply saddened to hear about the explosion at a fireworks facility in Thrissur, Kerala, just days before Pooram. The tragic loss of lives and the scale of devastation are heartbreaking. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. The government must ensure swift rescue efforts and immediate medical care for all the injured."
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed condolences. In a post on X, he wrote, “The explosion at a fireworks storage facility in Thrissur is deeply distressing. Rescue operations are progressing on a war footing, with the entire government machinery mobilised to ensure timely medical care for the injured.”
He added, “All necessary treatment, including specialised care from outside the state if required, will be made available. A dedicated system is in place to closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of Police, Fire & Rescue, Health, Revenue, and Disaster Management departments.”
Expressing deep sorrow, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that he is pained to hear about the scale of the devastation and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Explosion in a Maharashtra firecracker factory
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. Additionally, the police have arrested at least two people in connection with the incident.
Earlier, the administration had put the death toll at two, but a corrected statement in the evening said a male worker died while a woman with 80 per cent burns was undergoing treatment.
Tamil Nadu fire accident
Earlier on 19 April, another massive explosion was reported in Tamil Nadu's Virudhnagar. The explosion occurred at the 'Vanaja' fireworks factory owned by Muthumanickam, in Kattanarpatti near Virudhnagar. The place is located within the Vachakarapatti police station limits.
According to ANI, at least 23 people were killed in the incident, and several others sustained injuries.
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Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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