In a shocking industrial mishap, 20 lives were lost and 15 injured in a thunderous explosion at Suryashri Fireworks in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada on Saturday. The 2 PM blast in Vetalapalem village devastated the site near Godavari canal, flinging mutilated remains into adjacent farmlands.
Panic gripped surrounding areas as the ground shook, windows exploded, and a school roof cracked under the pressure. The detonation’s sound reverberated 5 km, accompanied by raging fires and choking smoke.
Responding decisively, CM N. Chandrababu Naidu mourned the dead from Vizianagaram, ordering Home Minister V. Anita to the scene and demanding swift rescues. He grilled officials on safety lapses and relief progress.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan offered solace to families, revealing continued blasts and hospital transfers for the wounded. Labor Minister Vamshetty Subhash labeled it ‘unimaginably tragic,’ noting the high female casualty rate.
Emergency responders, including fire crews and ambulances, mounted a massive operation. District collector and SP supervised on-ground efforts. Voices from BJP’s PVN Madhav and YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy echoed demands for aid packages and accountability. This heartbreaking event spotlights the perils of unregulated fireworks production, calling for immediate regulatory overhauls.