KERALA, INDIA – A tragic explosion at a cracker unit in Ernakulam district’s Thrippunithura on Monday resulted in the loss of one person’s life and left 12 others injured. The victim, identified as Vishnu, was an employee at the unit. Three of the injured were in critical condition and were transferred to Kalamassery Medical College, while the others were taken to Thrippunithura Taluk Hospital.
The explosion caused significant damage to at least 25 houses in the Puthiyakaavu Vadakkupuram locality, with the impact felt over a two-kilometer radius. Additionally, a vehicle was destroyed as a result of the blast. The cause of the fire in the cracker unit, where fireworks for the Puthiyakavu temple festival were stored, remains unknown. Reports suggest that the explosion occurred during the unloading of crackers from a vehicle.
The blast site was surrounded by approximately a dozen houses, leading local residents to initially believe that a gas cylinder had exploded nearby. However, as multiple additional blasts were heard, they realized the severity of the situation and joined the authorities in rescue efforts.
Further details regarding the incident are still pending. The community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic event, with many questions unanswered and a deep sense of loss and concern for the injured. The impact of the explosion has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the local area, and the full extent of the damage is yet to be fully comprehended. The authorities are working diligently to uncover the cause of the explosion and to provide support to those affected by the devastating event.