8 killed and over 40 injured in an explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode near Thrissur Kerala, officials say summer heat and dry paddy field likely worsened the incident.
Kerala firecracker factory blast (File image)
At least 13 people were killed and over 40 injured in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Kerala’s Thrissur district on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident took place in the manufacturing unit in Mundathikode at around 3.35 pm.
“The firecracker preparation unit was situated in a paddy field that had dried after the harvest, and the intense summer heat may have worsened the incident,” an official from the Wadakkanchery Fire Station told Onmanorama. Most of the injured are workers from the facility.
According to sources, at least 13 people died in the blast and five remain critical.
Officials said that fire officials and ambulances rushed to the spot immediately after the incident. The injured are being treated in several hospitals, including the Thrissur Medical College Hospital.
“We received an alert around 3.35 pm about the blast. The firecracker preparation unit was situated in a paddy field that had dried after the harvest, and the intense summer heat may have worsened the incident,” said an official from the Wadakkanchery Fire Station. “Fire units from Wadakkanchery, Kunnamkulam, and Thrissur coordinated the response alongside the local police,” he added.
However, the official said the rescue team has not yet been able to reach the exact location of the unit.
“We have not yet reached the exact location of the firecracker unit. The quantity of materials stored is unclear, and further explosions are possible,” said an official from the Kunnamkulam Fire Station.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed all government systems to be prepared to provide all kinds of medical assistance in connection with the Thrissur fireworks display explosion. He also held a telephonic conversation with the Chief Secretary.
The CM further announced that if required the services of expert doctors from hospitals outside the state will be used to provide expert treatment to the burn victims.
He also expressed his condolences to the kin of those who died.
Meanwhile, Thrissur District Collector Shikha Surendran visited the spot and said that additional medical teams will be arriving from Palakkad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolence and said in a post on X: “Saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Thrissur, Keralam. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
Thrissur, India, India
April 21, 2026, 17:39 IST
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