Ernakulam: A person was killed and damages worth lakhs of rupees were reported in a massive explosion at a firecracker warehouse operated in Thrippunithura’s Choorakkad on Monday. The deceased, identified as Vishnu, son of Asokan, hails from Uloor, Thiruvananthapuram. The blast, which occurred around eleven o’clock this morning, resulted in the injuries of 16 people, including children, and caused significant damage to nearby residences and structures.
The impact of the blast extended across a kilometre radius, resulting in damage to approximately 25 houses and the collapse of nearby two-story buildings. Several houses were destroyed, with roofs collapsing and concrete structures cracking. The cumulative damages are estimated to be worth lakhs of rupees.
Two seriously injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the Taluk Hospital in Thrippunithura, while four others with burns have been transferred to the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital for further care.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion occurred during the unloading of firecrackers brought from Palakkad as they were being moved to a nearby building. The firecrackers, along with the vehicle transporting them, were engulfed in flames, leading to widespread destruction in the vicinity. The immediate response from the fire brigade and locals helped bring the situation under control.
Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh revealed that the firecracker storage facility operated without the necessary permissions and had not applied for storage licenses. Fire department officials said that the explosives were unloaded without following the safety protocols. According to reports, the explosion was caused by firecrackers that came in conjunction with the festival at the nearby Puthiyakavu Temple.
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