Throssur, 21 April (H.S.):At least 12 people were killed and several others critically injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, near Thrissur, on Tuesday. The facility was reportedly preparing fireworks for the famed Thrissur Pooram, specifically for the Thiruvambady section.

According to preliminary reports, around 40 workers sustained burn injuries, with several persons stated to be in extremely critical condition. The injured have been shifted to Government Medical College Hospital Thrissur and nearby private hospitals, where emergency protocols have been activated.

The explosion occurred at a unit where fireworks materials were being prepared and stored as part of the Pooram celebrations. Authorities said the intensity of the blast was so severe that it was heard several kilometres away, sending shockwaves through nearby areas. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with flames and thick smoke engulfing the site within minutes.

“There were multiple explosions, even during the rescue operations,” a local resident said, adding that body parts were seen scattered across the area. Fire and rescue teams faced significant challenges in reaching the site due to dense smoke and the presence of unexploded materials, which posed a continuing risk of further blasts.

Police officials and emergency responders rushed to the location soon after the incident. The district administration has alerted hospitals across Thrissur to remain on high alert and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

Initial information suggests that the explosion took place at a temporary fireworks shed used for preparing sample displays for the Thiruvambady temple’s Pooram events. The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, though officials have not ruled out the possibility of mishandling of explosive materials.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on safety protocols and storage conditions at the facility. Senior officials are expected to visit the site, and further details are awaited.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over the upcoming Pooram festivities, one of Kerala’s most celebrated temple festivals, as the state grapples with the scale of the disaster and the loss of lives.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman