Thrissur Firecracker Unit Explosion: Death Toll Rises to 17 as Another Victim Succumbs

Thrissur: The death toll from the devastating explosion at a firecracker shed in Mundathikode, Thrissur, climbed to 17 on Wednesday after another injured victim succumbed to his wounds.

Rajesh (40), a native of Kundannur, passed away while undergoing treatment on a ventilator at Thrissur Government Medical College, where he had been admitted with critical injuries following the blast.

The explosion occurred at approximately 3.20 pm on Tuesday at a storage facility where the Thiruvambady section was preparing ammunition for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram festival. Five sheds were completely destroyed in the incident. Initial reports suggested that extreme heat may have ignited the ammunition left out to dry, though the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has since assessed that heat was not the cause of the explosion.

Of the 10 bodies recovered from the site, nine have been identified. One body will undergo DNA testing for identification. Search operations have yielded approximately 150 human body parts, and samples from 29 individuals have been sent for DNA analysis. Relatives of four victims have already submitted samples, and results are expected shortly. Ten people injured in the blast continue to receive medical treatment.

State Police Chief Rawada Chandrasekhar, speaking to the media, confirmed that 34 people were present at the site at the time of the explosion