Massive Explosion In Andhra Pradesh Village, 21 Dead, CM Visits The Scene, CM And PM Announce Ex Gratia

Samaralakota: A massive explosion occurred at the Suryasri Fireworks Centre, located next to the Godavari Canal in Vetlapalem village of Samaralakota mandal in Kakinada district at 2 pm. At least 21 have died in the explosion and in the subsequent fire, apart from several injured. 8 seriously injured people have been shifted to nearby hospitals, with six being treated at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada. A total of 34 workers were at the factory when the incident took place.

According to the locals, the shockwave from the explosion caused cracks in the roof of a private school in a neighbouring village, while the sound of the explosion was heard almost 5 kilometres away from the scene. The explosion also flung several of the dead into the fields nearby, and dense smoke filled the area.

Two fire engines were immediately dispatched to the scene to douse the flames and for the rescue operation. According to the locals, the factory is located in the middle of farms, with no road for emergency vehicles to reach the place.

The factory belongs to the family of one Adapa Nani, and was set up over 6 sheds in a field in the village. According to the village RDO, the owner is absconding.

11 Dead Identified So Far

11 of the dead have been identified so far. Locals informed that most of the fatalities are women workers of the factory. The identified are Adabala Srinu, Kadimpalli Kripamma, Kadimpalli Dhanaraju, Sadhanala Satyaveni, Vatluri Ravi, Mandapalli Chinni, Nimmada Karuna, Gampala Manga, Godatha Mahesh, Godatha Ramu, and Godatha Nani.

Chief Minister And Other Officials Reach The Scene

Officials briefed the Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, about the incident while he was on a tour in Vizianagaram, following which he issued orders to initiate immediate relief measures, apart from ordering the Home Minister, Vangalapudi Anita, to go to the scene of the incident.

In an X post, Naidu stated, "It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost in this accident. I have spoken with senior officials regarding the incident. I have instructed that immediate necessary assistance be provided to the affected individuals. We are monitoring the relief measures. We stand with the bereaved families."

District Collector Shanmohan and Superintendent of Police (SP) Bindu Madhav reached the scene of the explosion and are monitoring the situation.

Home Minister Anita announced on X that she has ordered that immediate assistance be provided to the affected individuals. "We are monitoring relief efforts every moment. The government, on its own behalf, will support the affected in every possible way," stated the Home Minister. She also announced that SDRF teams reached the spot, and forensic teams.

IT Minister Nara Lokesh expressed grief over the incident, and in an X post, assured support for the families of the deceased and proper medical treatment for the injured.

Later, Naidu reached the scene and reviewed the area along with officials. He ordered an investigation into the matter and said that stringent action would be taken against those responsible. "We will ensure such a thing never happens again and will take strong action against those making fireworks without proper permissions," he said.

Naidu also visited the hospital where the injured were admitted, and also met with the families of the casualties of the blast.

CM Naidu And PM Modi Announce Ex Gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to express grief over the incident, stating, "An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000".

Naidu also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 20 lakh for the deceased.