Published Apr 21, 2026 | 5:09 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 22, 2026 | 11:53 AM
Eyewitnesses said two powerful blasts were heard in quick succession at around 3.30 pm.
Synopsis: Nine people were killed and dozens injured after an explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, on Tuesday as preparations were under way for Thrissur Pooram. Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the blast. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered an inquiry and sanctioned ₹50 lakh to the Thrissur District Collector for emergency and relief measures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured.
A major explosion ripped through a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, on Tuesday, 21 April, as preparations were underway for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram festival.
Nine people are confirmed dead, according to the district officials. Authorities have also recovered 26 additional body parts, underscoring the severity of the blast.
So far, seven bodies have been identified, and three among them have been handed over to relatives. Among identified victims are Sudarshanan (54) of Pazhayannur, Vennur; Vasudevan (54) from Kallur in Palakkad; and Suvin (40) of Kundannoor.
Officials said efforts are ongoing to identify the remaining victims. A joint press meet held by ministers at the Thrissur District Collectorate on Wednesday revealed that the exact number of people present at the site during the recent blast remains unknown.
The recovery of unidentified body parts has further complicated the process, necessitating detailed scientific and forensic examinations for confirmation of identities.
Health Minister Veena George said DNA samples of all those who died in the explosion at the fireworks unit are being taken for testing.
Currently, 13 people are undergoing treatment at Thrissur Government Medical College Hospital. The licensee in charge of the unit, Satheesh, also suffered burn injuries.
Two people — Sathish (46) and Praveen (45) — are reported to be on ventilator support. Others receiving treatment include Babu (56), Vishnu (30), Rajesh (40), Hari (40), Anitha (50), Akhil (30), Udayakumar (48), Babu (57), Subhadra (68), Bhavani (65), Sundaran (46), and Sajan (37).
Among them, Subhadra has been discharged.
Thrissur City Police Commissioner Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh said the number of workers who were present at the facility prior to the blast is unknown.
Locals estimated that around 40 workers were present at the site, based on the lunch packets supplied to the facility at noon. The unit was reportedly producing fireworks for the Thiruvambady section’s sample display scheduled for Friday.
Eyewitnesses said two powerful blasts were heard in quick succession at around 3.30 pm, with the sound carrying for several kilometres.
Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Preliminary findings suggest the latest explosion may have occurred during the mixing of firecracker chemicals – a process made more hazardous by intense summer heat. Police said a comprehensive fire audit of the site will be carried out to assess compliance with safety norms.
The incident has cast a shadow over Pooram preparations and comes in the wake of the 10th anniversary of the Puttingal Fireworks Disaster, in which 110 people were killed, and more than 650 were injured in a catastrophic explosion during a temple festival on 10 April 2016.
Also read: 25 killed after powerful blast rips through Virudhunagar fireworks factory
Flames engulfed the facility, and explosions continued intermittently even as rescue efforts were underway, causing panic in the area.
Rescue operations were hampered by narrow access roads leading to the site. Fire and rescue teams broke through a nearby wall to gain entry and control the blaze.
The injured were taken to Thrissur Medical College Hospital, where at least six are in critical condition. Others are being treated at nearby hospitals, including Thrissur General Hospital.
Health Minister Veena George directed authorities to ensure expert medical care for all the injured. She also instructed that sufficient ambulances, including 108 emergency services, be deployed to the site and that nearby hospitals remain on high alert to handle the emergency.
The state government has issued an order allocating ₹50 lakh to the Thrissur District Collector. The funds will be utilised to address the emergency and support relief measures.
The District Collector said that if anyone who was working at the site of the accident is missing, the relatives should contact the following control rooms.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after urgent discussions with the Chief Secretary, directed all government systems to stay on high alert and be ready to provide comprehensive medical care to the injured.
Authorities have been told to ensure the best possible treatment for burn victims, including bringing in specialist doctors from hospitals outside the state if needed.
The Chief Minister also expressed deep condolences to the families of those who died in the incident. He has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident.
District Collector Shikha Surendran directed a detailed probe to establish both the cause of the incident and its consequences. The investigation has been assigned to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, with the Thrissur RDO tasked with a full examination of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The inquiry will examine safety compliance, operational lapses, and the extent of damage. Officials said the findings will guide further action, including legal or administrative steps.
Investigators will also record statements from eyewitnesses to establish the precise sequence of events and determine the cause of the blast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “saddened to hear about the loss of lives” and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.
He also announced financial assistance for the victims through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). An ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive ₹50,000 each.
A Cabinet meeting was held online on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It approved a series of relief and rehabilitation measures.
The government announced an emergency financial assistance of ₹14 lakh to the dependents of those who died in the incident.
This includes ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an additional ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
For the injured, the cabinet decided to provide financial assistance in line with SDRF norms, along with an additional ₹2 lakh from the CMDRF as emergency support.
The state government will bear the treatment expenses of the injured for up to six months, whether they are admitted to government or private hospitals.
The required funds will be released from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund based on recommendations from the District Collector, along with eligible SDRF assistance.
If treatment extends beyond six months, expenses incurred at private hospitals — subject to recommendations by a Medical Board — will continue to be covered through the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
To support ongoing rescue and recovery operations, the government has already permitted the demolition of private compound walls and the filling of fields in the affected area. The actual cost of restoring these properties will be reimbursed from the SDRF based on the District Collector’s assessment.
The Cabinet also directed the State Executive Committee of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority to issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the burial of bodies and the collection of samples for DNA matching, given the severity of the incident.
Additionally, the District Collector has been instructed to urgently submit a detailed report on the damage sustained by nearby houses due to the explosion and to initiate steps for securing SDRF funds for compensation.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
