At least 16 people including women and children were injured in a massive explosion at an illegal firecracker warehouse in Tripunithura, Kerala, while one person also lost his life. This illegal warehouse was built in a house due to which nearby people were harmed. Of the injured, only four are in critical condition and have been admitted to Kalamassery Medical College. The person who died in the accident was identified as Vishnu from Thiruvananthapuram.
More than 25 houses and shops were damaged in the blast and two vehicles were completely burnt. However, the exact cause of the blast has not been known yet. Fire and rescue teams believe that a large quantity of firecrackers kept in the warehouse exploded at once.
A senior official of the fire and rescue department said that the explosion was very big and people felt its sound and tremors several kilometers away. Although the fire was soon brought under control, the blast caused extensive damage to nearby properties.
The officials were surprised to see an illegal firecracker warehouse running without permission in such a crowded area. The Assistant Police Station Officer said that the local community had no information about it.
The blast was so powerful that the roofs of nearby houses were damaged and doors and windows were blown out. Many cars have also been destroyed in the incident. Due to the blast, many trees were also burnt and the debris scattered far and wide.
Officials are now investigating why there were so many firecrackers at an unauthorized place in a crowded area. Health Minister Vena George has directed to ensure that the injured get proper medical care, the District Medical Officer will arrange for their care at Kalamassery Medical College and Ernakulam General Hospital.
