KOCHI — Authorities in Kerala have formed a special team to investigate the cause of the explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern Indian state, which claimed 13 lives and seriously injured several others on Tuesday. The incident took place in Thrissur, where around 40 people were believed to be assembling firecrackers in a cluster of sheds for an upcoming festival. Several others were injured, with five reported to be in critical condition. This was the second such incident in India this week. On Sunday, a blast at a firecracker factory in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state left at least 25 dead. Officials suggested that heat, which could trigger spontaneous chemical reactions, may have played a part in the accident, and, prima facie, there appeared to be no evidence of sabotage as yet.Kerala’s Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar is set to hold a high-level meeting with senior police, revenue, fire and rescue departments, as well as explosives experts in Thrissur after visiting the accident site. Officials said the meeting will likely weigh whether there was any supervisory lapse on the part of enforcement agencies, including official neglect. Accidental explosions are a grim routine in India’s fireworks industry, recurring with troubling regularity — most visibly around Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, which produces much of the country’s supply. The explosion in Thrissur on Tuesday around 15:30 local time (10:00 GMT) triggered secondary blasts that slowed rescue efforts.Firecrackers were being made in temporary sheds near paddy fields with poor road access, hampering emergency response. The force of the blast was felt kilometres away and nearby homes were damaged. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as locals joined rescue efforts, pulling out the injured and dead. Kerala’s Revenue Minister K Rajan said all fireworks units preparing for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram — a major annual Hindu temple festival — had permission to manufacture and store fireworks in designated areas. The workers were preparing fireworks for the Thiruvambady Temple, one of the two main participants in the climactic displays of the Thrissur Pooram. The festival’s famed fireworks unfold in four phases, with the main overnight display drawing huge crowds on the seventh day. Officials said food had been prepared for about 40 workers, suggesting at least that many were present when an explosion hit a shed. While local authorities attributed the blast to high afternoon temperatures, officials said the cause remains unclear. “There is still no clarity on how many workers were in the shed or the extent of injuries. It is suspected that extreme heat may have contributed to this tragic incident,” municipal chairman P N Surendran told reporters. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to establish what happened and fix responsibility. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that medical experts from other states would be brought to treat the burn victims, if needed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,137; £1,582) for the families of the deceased persons, and 50,000 rupees for those injured. Firecracker factory accidents are common in India because highly volatile chemicals are handled in cramped, low-cost setups where even a small spark can trigger explosions. The industry, which is largely informal, supplies firecrackers for weddings, festivals and other ceremonies and has faced repeated scrutiny over safety standards. One study recorded 9,896 accidents in the sector in Sivakasi between 2003 and 2010 alone, including 398 fatal incidents. — AgenciesKOCHI — Authorities in Kerala have formed a special team to investigate the cause of the explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern Indian state, which claimed 13 lives and seriously injured several others on Tuesday. The incident took place in Thrissur, where around 40 people were believed to be assembling firecrackers in a cluster of sheds for an upcoming festival. Several others were injured, with five reported to be in critical condition. This was the second such incident in India this week. On Sunday, a blast at a firecracker factory in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state left at least 25 dead. Officials suggested that heat, which could trigger spontaneous chemical reactions, may have played a part in the accident, and, prima facie, there appeared to be no evidence of sabotage as yet.Kerala’s Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar is set to hold a high-level meeting with senior police, revenue, fire and rescue departments, as well as explosives experts in Thrissur after visiting the accident site. Officials said the meeting will likely weigh whether there was any supervisory lapse on the part of enforcement agencies, including official neglect. Accidental explosions are a grim routine in India’s fireworks industry, recurring with troubling regularity — most visibly around Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, which produces much of the country’s supply. The explosion in Thrissur on Tuesday around 15:30 local time (10:00 GMT) triggered secondary blasts that slowed rescue efforts.Firecrackers were being made in temporary sheds near paddy fields with poor road access, hampering emergency response. The force of the blast was felt kilometres away and nearby homes were damaged. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as locals joined rescue efforts, pulling out the injured and dead. Kerala’s Revenue Minister K Rajan said all fireworks units preparing for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram — a major annual Hindu temple festival — had permission to manufacture and store fireworks in designated areas. The workers were preparing fireworks for the Thiruvambady Temple, one of the two main participants in the climactic displays of the Thrissur Pooram. The festival’s famed fireworks unfold in four phases, with the main overnight display drawing huge crowds on the seventh day. Officials said food had been prepared for about 40 workers, suggesting at least that many were present when an explosion hit a shed. While local authorities attributed the blast to high afternoon temperatures, officials said the cause remains unclear. “There is still no clarity on how many workers were in the shed or the extent of injuries. It is suspected that extreme heat may have contributed to this tragic incident,” municipal chairman P N Surendran told reporters. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to establish what happened and fix responsibility. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that medical experts from other states would be brought to treat the burn victims, if needed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,137; £1,582) for the families of the deceased persons, and 50,000 rupees for those injured. Firecracker factory accidents are common in India because highly volatile chemicals are handled in cramped, low-cost setups where even a small spark can trigger explosions. The industry, which is largely informal, supplies firecrackers for weddings, festivals and other ceremonies and has faced repeated scrutiny over safety standards. One study recorded 9,896 accidents in the sector in Sivakasi between 2003 and 2010 alone, including 398 fatal incidents. — Agencies
