Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), Feb 28 (TNT): At least 21 workers were killed and several others critically injured in a powerful explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village of Samalkot mandal in Kakinada district on Saturday afternoon.
Of the 21 deceased, 12 were charred alive.
Police said around 30 persons were working at the Surya Sri Fireworks unit, located amid paddy fields about 25 km from Kakinada, when the explosion occurred.
Ten other workers had reportedly stepped out for lunch minutes before the blast.
The explosion triggered a series of blasts with thunderous sounds, leaving little chance for workers to escape.
The impact of the blast was so severe that several bodies were thrown into adjoining paddy fields, and houses in nearby villages developed cracks.
The owner of the unit, Adabala Sreenu, was among those killed.
Sixteen injured persons were admitted to Government General Hospital (GGH), Kakinada, and the area hospital at Peddapuram.
Two of the injured succumbed shortly after admission at GGH.
Doctors said several of the injured suffered over 70 per cent burns and were in critical condition.
Fire tenders from Samalkot, Peddapuram and Kakinada rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control after battling the fire for several hours.
The area within a one-kilometre radius was engulfed in dense smoke following the blast.
District Collector Shan Mohan Sagili and Superintendent of Police Bindu Madhav supervised the rescue and relief operations.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was on a tour of Vizianagaram, reviewed the situation with officials and directed them to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.
Later, he cut short his visit and reached the blast site in the evening.
He sought a detailed report on the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed shock over the incident and assured all assistance to the families of the victims. Minister Nara Lokesh also conveyed his condolences and assured support.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the explosion at a factory in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh.
Extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the Prime Minister prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
Announcing ex-gratia assistance, he said that Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would receive Rs. 50,000 each.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “Pained by the loss of lives in the explosion at a factory in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh. I extend my condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
TNT TS
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