Thrissur fireworks tragedy: Four still missing; blast not due to extreme heat, says PESO

The rescue operations at the Mundathikode fireworks facility in Thrissur continue to be a race against time, with at least four people still missing.

The Thrissur District Collector on Wednesday said that four persons have not yet been found in the Mundathikode firework disaster. The missing persons have been identified as Suresh CA (50), a native of Kanjirakode; Abhijith alias Abhi (28), a native of Kottapuram; Vishnu (38), a native of Manakkudi; and Girish (42), a native of Kottapuram. DNA samples of their relatives have been collected. One unidentified body and 29 body parts have been found. Currently, 8 out of the 9 bodies have been handed over to the relatives after post-mortem.

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Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has assessed that the explosion at the Mundathikode firecracker manufacturing unit was not caused by extreme heat. Following its inspection, PESO assessed that the heat was not the main reason for the explosion. The inspection is considering the possibility of a short circuit.

The Electrical Inspectorate team is also conducting inspections at the disaster site. The Electrical Inspectorate is investigating whether a short circuit led to the explosion. As part of the magisterial investigation, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) has inspected the scene and collected evidence.