At least 20 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.
Rescue operations were hampered because the factory is located in the middle of agricultural fields, with no suitable road for fire engines or ambulances to arrive. Waterlogged and muddy rice fields prevented vehicles from reaching the site quickly, resulting in long-lasting explosions. The injured victims, many with serious burns, were transported to hospitals with difficulty.
Eight seriously injured people were transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities said most of the dead were women. Several bodies were charred beyond recognition. Human remains were found scattered around the site. Preliminary results indicate that six barns were set up in fireworks manufacturing fields. One Adapa Nani reportedly operated the unit.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who rushed to the scene, said nine of the injured were fighting for their lives at Kakinada Government Hospital in critical condition. He added: “It has been reported that two of the injured are out of danger.”
He said 12 of the victims belonged to the Scheduled Caste community and nine were women. He added: “They went to work for daily wages to earn a living. This tragedy has devastated their families.”
Naidu announced $20,000 compensation for each of the families of those killed, free boarding school education for their children, homes for the affected families, and the full cost of treating the injured. “We cannot return the deceased, but we will stand by their families in every way possible.”
Naidu, who met the families of the victims at the hospital, said the government was taking the incident very seriously. He announced the suspension of the revenue department officer, the deputy superintendent of police, the district labor force and the fire officer.
Naidu said that a detailed investigation will be conducted to determine responsibility, and action will be taken against those found guilty. “Some individuals have developed reckless behavior and are playing with people’s lives. We will not only arrest them, but also prosecute them. Their property will be confiscated and handed over to the families of the victims. No one will be allowed to act according to their will.”
Naidu said permits had been obtained to operate the fireworks unit, but adequate safety precautions were not followed. “Mandatory safety procedures for handling explosive materials were ignored,” he said.
Naidu announced that the government will collect details of all fireworks manufacturing units and review the existing procedures. “Current protocols are insufficient. We will install surveillance cameras in these areas and link them to control rooms.” He said permits for fireworks units would be more stringent to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the incident and described the loss of life as extremely painful. He expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the wounded. Modi declared $2 lakh each to the families of those killed $50,000 for the injured
State Home Minister Vanjalapudi Anitha, who rushed to the scene to supervise rescue operations, said about 35 people were at the Surya Sri Fire Works factory, mixing explosive materials to make firecrackers, when the explosion occurred at the facility.
Initial police investigations showed that a spark ignited in one of the chemical barrels containing the explosive material used in making fireworks, which led to the explosion. The fire quickly engulfed the building within minutes. Thick plumes of smoke covered the surrounding area, spreading across at least five nearby villages and causing widespread panic.
By the time locals rushed to the site, many of the workers trapped inside were already dead. Eyewitnesses described the horrific scene, with body parts scattered throughout the site, and some victims burned beyond recognition.
District police chief G Bindu Madhav, who rushed to the scene, said: “At least 21 people died on the spot, while 13 others were seriously injured. Nine of the injured are in critical condition.”
The factory’s license is valid until March 31, revenue department official Malibabu said. “After the explosion, the owner was said to have fled.”
Residents claimed that the tragedy may have been caused by manufacturing exceeding permissible limits, although officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion. “A detailed investigation is expected to be conducted once the fire is completely under control,” an official said.
