One killed, six injured in explosion at ‘unlicensed’ firecracker unit in Varapuzha, Ernakulam

The owner of the plant, along with his wife and children, are among those admitted to Aster Medcity hospital in Kochi.

BySreerag PS

Published Feb 28, 2023 | 8:52 PMUpdatedFeb 28, 2023 | 10:34 PM

Blast in firecracker unit in Ernakulam

One person was charred to death and six others, including three children, suffered injuries in a massive explosion at an “unlicensed” firecracker manufacturing plant in Muttinakam, Varapuzha in Ernakulam district, on Tuesday, 28 February, according to an official from the Fire and Rescue department.

The injured have been admitted to Aster Medcity hospital in Kochi.

A preliminary investigation has found that the firecracker unit was functioning without required licenses, Gopakumar, an assistant station officer at the Eroor Fire and Rescue unit, told South First.

The owner of the firecracker unit, along with his wife and children, have been hospitalised with injuries, he said.

Reports said the cause of the explosion, which is said to have occurred around 5.30 pm in the evening, is not yet clear.

The firecrackers were apparently stored in a shed near an old house that has been completely destroyed.

‘Impact felt up to 2 km’

Gopakumar, who was at the spot, said the situation had eased but rescue operations were ongoing.

“The locality has narrow roads, which makes it difficult for big vehicles to reach the spot and made the rescue operations challenging. However, the rescue operation has been ongoing by our team,” he said.

The explosion damaged 10 houses and its impact was felt over a 2-km area, he said. The region has now been equipped with tower lights are as the power supply was withdrawn as a preventive measure.

According to media reports, the unit was totally destroyed in the explosion and its impact was felt on buildings more than a kilometre away.

Manorama online quoted Varapuzha Panchayat President, Kochurani Joseph as saying that the impact felt like an earthquake.

South First’s calls to the local MLA went unanswered.