A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in India's Kerala state has claimed at least 13 lives, marking the second such tragedy in the country within three days.
The blast occurred Tuesday afternoon in Thrissur, where approximately 40 workers were assembling fireworks in temporary sheds for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram festival. Five individuals remain in critical condition among the injured.
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as powerful enough to be mistaken for an earthquake kilometers away, with secondary blasts complicating rescue efforts. The factory's location near paddy fields with poor road access hampered emergency response teams.
"There is still no clarity on how many workers were in the shed or the extent of injuries. It is suspected that extreme heat may have contributed to this tragic incident," said municipal chairman PN Surendran.
This incident follows Sunday's explosion at a Tamil Nadu fireworks factory that killed at least 25 people, highlighting persistent safety issues in India's informal fireworks industry.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan confirmed that all fireworks units preparing for Thrissur Pooram had permission to operate in designated areas. The workers were specifically preparing displays for the Thiruvambady Temple, one of two main participants in the festival's climactic fireworks show.
Officials noted that food had been prepared for about 40 workers, suggesting at least that many were present when the explosion occurred. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause and assign responsibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,137) for families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees for the injured. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that medical experts from other states would be brought in to treat burn victims if necessary.
Firecracker factory accidents remain distressingly common in India, where volatile chemicals are often handled in cramped, low-cost setups. The industry—which supplies fireworks for weddings, festivals, and ceremonies—has faced repeated scrutiny over safety standards.
Weak enforcement and high demand during festivals like Diwali frequently push safety to the margins. One study recorded nearly 10,000 accidents in the Sivakasi fireworks hub between 2003 and 2010 alone, including 398 fatal incidents.
This latest tragedy echoes Kerala's 2016 Puttingal Temple disaster, where stockpiled firecrackers ignited during an unauthorized display, killing over 100 people. Investigations revealed widespread flouting of basic safety norms, including explosives stored in makeshift sheds and poor regulatory compliance.