9 killed in blast at unit making fireworks for Thrissur Pooram in Kerala

At least 23 people have been injured. Thick smoke and multiple blasts made rescue efforts tough, officials said.

At least nine people were killed and 23 injured in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Thrissur on Tuesday evening.

The blast occurred at the unit, which was making fireworks for the Thrissur Pooram festival slated for April 24. The unit, situated at Mundathikode in Thrissur, was assigned to make fireworks for Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple, one of the organisers of the Pooram.

The blast at the unit, where explosives had been stocked for the Pooram fireworks, started at around 3.30 pm. However, rescue workers could not rush to the spot, which is around five km away from the government medical college in Thrissur, due to thick smoke and recurring blasts. At the manufacturing site at Mundathikkode, there were around 12 temporary units erected on a harvested paddy field. There were around 40 workers at these units at the time of the incident.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the chief secretary to ensure all facilities for the treatment of the injured. Rescue operations are going on and special arrangements have been made to monitor them, he said, adding that if required, service of doctors from outside the state would be sought to treat the burn victims.

The Thrissur district administration ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. The fire force has deployed drones to contain the fire as rescue workers could not get close to the spot due to repeated incidents of explosions.

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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At least nine people were killed and 23 injured in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Thrissur on Tuesday evening.

The blast occurred at the unit, which was making fireworks for the Thrissur Pooram festival slated for April 24. The unit, situated at Mundathikode in Thrissur, was assigned to make fireworks for Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple, one of the organisers of the Pooram.

The blast at the unit, where explosives had been stocked for the Pooram fireworks, started at around 3.30 pm. However, rescue workers could not rush to the spot, which is around five km away from the government medical college in Thrissur, due to thick smoke and recurring blasts. At the manufacturing site at Mundathikkode, there were around 12 temporary units erected on a harvested paddy field. There were around 40 workers at these units at the time of the incident.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the chief secretary to ensure all facilities for the treatment of the injured. Rescue operations are going on and special arrangements have been made to monitor them, he said, adding that if required, service of doctors from outside the state would be sought to treat the burn victims.

The Thrissur district administration ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. The fire force has deployed drones to contain the fire as rescue workers could not get close to the spot due to repeated incidents of explosions.