At least 13 people have lost their lives following an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing site in India’s southern state of Kerala, according to officials.
The blast occurred in Thrissur, where about 40 workers were reportedly engaged in assembling firecrackers across a cluster of temporary sheds ahead of an upcoming festival.
Several others sustained injuries, with at least five individuals said to be in critical condition.
The tragedy comes just days after a similar incident in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where a firecracker factory explosion on Sunday claimed at least 25 lives.
Such accidents remain a recurring and tragic feature of India’s fireworks industry, particularly in regions like Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, a major production hub supplying much of the country’s festive demand.
Authorities said Tuesday’s explosion happened around 15:30 local time (10:00 GMT) and was followed by secondary blasts, which complicated rescue operations. The sheds, located near paddy fields with limited road access, made emergency response difficult.
The intensity of the explosion was reportedly felt several kilometres away, with some residents initially mistaking it for an earthquake. Nearby homes also suffered damage, while eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as locals joined rescue efforts to pull victims from the debris.
Kerala’s Revenue Minister K Rajan stated that all fireworks units involved in preparations for the upcoming Thrissur Pooram festival had the necessary permissions to manufacture and store fireworks in designated areas. Workers at the site were producing fireworks for the Thiruvambady Temple, one of the key participants in the grand temple festival known for its elaborate fireworks display.
The Thrissur Pooram celebrations, shared between the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temples, feature fireworks in multiple phases, with the final night display drawing large crowds.
Officials indicated that food had been arranged for around 40 workers, suggesting that at least that number was present at the time of the explosion. However, the exact number of people in the shed and the full extent of casualties remain unclear.
While municipal chairman PN Surendran suggested extreme heat may have contributed to the incident, investigations have not yet confirmed the cause. “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,” Surendran told reporters.
K Gireesh Kumar, secretary of the Tiruvambady temple committee, noted that the group had authorization to store up to 2,000kg of firecrackers for each display.
A magisterial inquiry has been launched to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the blast and to establish responsibility. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also announced that medical specialists from other states would be called in if required to assist in treating burn victims.
At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,137; £1,582) for the families of those killed, and 50,000 rupees for the injured.
Accidents in India’s firecracker industry are frequently linked to unsafe working conditions, where highly volatile materials are handled in overcrowded, low-cost facilities. Experts say even a minor spark can trigger devastating explosions in such environments.
The largely informal sector supplies fireworks for festivals, weddings, and other celebrations but has repeatedly faced criticism over weak safety enforcement. In major hubs such as Sivakasi, lapses in regulation combined with high seasonal demand during festivals like Diwali often compromise safety standards.
One study recorded 9,896 accidents in Sivakasi’s fireworks industry between 2003 and 2010, including 398 fatal incidents.
Kerala itself has witnessed similar tragedies in the past. In 2016, an explosion and fire at the Puttingal Temple in Kollam district killed more than 100 people and injured around 400 others after illegally stored fireworks ignited during an unauthorised display.
A 2018 study later concluded that repeated failures in safety compliance, including improper storage in makeshift sheds and weak regulatory enforcement, were compounded by competitive and community pressures that often led to the neglect of safety norms.
