Mishap at firecracker unit in Telangana, 6 dead

At least six people have died, and eight people were left injured, some of them critically, following a major fire mishap in a licenced firecracker unit at Rayavaram in the Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. The state government has initiated an inquiry into the incident.

The injured were rushed to the nearest hospitals.

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Thick white smoke emanated from the manufacturing unit of Sri Ganapathi Grand Fireworks in Komaripalem village, as people were seen trying to douse the flames with water. The blast occurred while the workers were busy making firecrackers ahead of Diwali, and six of them were burnt alive. The authorities are trying to identify the charred bodies retrieved from the mishap site.

The death toll is likely to rise. It is suspected that the blast occurred due to mishandling at the firecracker manufacturing unit. Around 40 people were working at the unit at the time of the explosion, which caused the walls to cave in, and some are feared to be trapped under the debris. Even the owner is suspected to be among the victims.

Expressing grief, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, “I spoke with the officials about the causes of the mishap, the current situation, relief measures, and medical assistance. I have instructed senior officials to visit the incident site personally and participate in relief efforts. I have advised that better medical aid be provided to the injured. We stand with the affected families.”

AP HRD minister Nara Lokesh said an inquiry has been ordered. “The explosion at a firecracker unit in Rayavaram, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema District, which claimed the lives of six individuals, has caused profound shock. It is heartbreaking that the workers were trapped in the fire and burned alive. The government has already initiated an inquiry into the incident.”

Home Minister Anitha also spoke to the district SP and fire department officials about the incident and visited the unit where the explosion occurred.

After visiting the spot, Anaparthi MLA N Ramakrishna Reddy said that the unit had been operating in compliance with government guidelines for the past 75 years. “The issue has been taken up with the government to provide ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. The official announcement will be made soon,” assured the MLA. The website of Sri Ganapathi Grand Fireworks claims it was set up in 1932 and was an industry pioneer, winning the safety excellence award from the Fire Safety Council.

Governor S Abdul Nazeer also expressed profound grief over the tragic incident. Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock and grief over the deaths.