Published Mar 01, 2026 | 2:09 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 01, 2026 | 2:09 PM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu visiting the kin of victims. Credit: x.com/ncbn
Synopsis: A massive explosion at Surya Sri Fireworks in Vetlapalem, Kakinada district, killed 21 and left 10 critically injured. Triggered by mishandling chemicals by untrained workers, the blast gutted the unit, scattered remains, and damaged nearby structures. Authorities suspect safety violations; police registered cases and a probe committee was formed. Families demand government support.
The devastating explosion that ripped through the Surya Sri Fireworks unit at Vetlapalem village in Samarlakota mandal of Kakinada district on Saturday, 28 February, is suspected to have been triggered by mishandling of the explosive materials by the untrained workers.
Fire department sources suspect that blast could have taken place when the workers were stuffing the crackers with explosive materials mainly Magnesium powder, Potassium chlorite, Potassium nitrate, aluminum powder and charcoal.
The fire department is understood to have warned the cracker unit against employing more than 10 persons. The owner of the unit is Adabala Arjun who is reportedly absconding.
According to sources, the unit was licensed to manufacture only small crackers. However, it was allegedly producing firecrackers which give out loud noise. Authorities suspect that the staff, many of them untrained may have not known the ratio of mixing the chemicals.
The explosion occurred around 2:10 pm. At the time, an estimated 30 to 40 workers were on the premises. Most of them women. The unit was reportedly operating at full capacity due to increased demand during the ongoing marriage season.
As the authorities shifted the bodies to the mortuary to Samalkot Health Centre, the family members of the victims broke down watching dismembered parts of bodies. Heart-rending scenes unfolded with the family members crying inconsolably.
“We have been victims of blasts at cracker units. In the past I lost three of my relatives. Now at Vetlapalem, my uncle’s son (cousin) Nani has died,” said D Satyananadam. He urged the state government to help the affected families.
The initial blast was followed by a series of smaller explosions. The blast led to a major fire breaking out and it raged for hours. The facility was completely gutted. The force of the explosion scattered body parts into nearby paddy fields. The impact was so powerful that the sound was heard up to seven kilometres away. Thick plumes of smoke filled the sky. Several surrounding structures suffered damage.
Local police, firefighters, and emergency services were alerted within minutes. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also rushed to the scene. However, rescue operations were severely hampered. Repeated minor explosions continued at the site. Debris was strewn across the area. Intense heat made it difficult to approach the main shed. The muddy terrain, caused by adjacent agricultural fields and the nearby Godavari Canal, further slowed down access.
Initial rescue efforts were chaotic. Villagers were the first to respond. They used makeshift sheets fashioned from fertilizer bags to carry the injured and the dead. Though emergency teams began arriving within minutes, it took nearly an hour to bring the situation partially under control and begin systematic firefighting and body recovery.
Drones were later deployed to locate scattered remains in surrounding fields. The SDRF joined operations to comb the area thoroughly.
Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 21 late Saturday night. Officials monitoring the situation warned that the toll could rise further. Nearly 10 injured workers remain in critical condition with around 90 percent burn injuries at the Kakinada Government General Hospital.
Police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Explosives Act. Investigators are examining possible regulatory lapses and violations of safety norms.
Among the victims, at least 9 to 12 were women from nearby villages. Many of them belonged to Scheduled Caste communities and were working as daily wage earners to support their families.
Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes at the site. Several bodies were charred beyond recognition. Authorities have ordered DNA tests to establish identities in such cases. So far, 11 bodies have been identified.
The state government has constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident. The panel has been asked to submit its report within 15 days. Officials have also ordered stricter safety inspections of all firecracker manufacturing units across the district. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the site and later met the injured at the hospital.
