AP Firecracker Factory Blast: 20 Dead, 11 Injured; Officials Suspended

An explosion ripped through Surya Sri Fire Works, a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village, Samalkot block of Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, killing 20 people and leaving 11 injured. Officials said about 35 workers were present at the time when the explosion occurred around 2:10 pm while explosive materials were being mixed.

Four senior officials were suspended for alleged negligence as the state government ordered a probe into the incident. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu rushed to Vetlapalem, promising support for the families, including ₹20 lakh in compensation for each deceased's family, along with medical costs for the injured, free education for the children of the deceased, and housing for affected households.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish and announced ex gratia payments of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured.

Authorities said 12 of the victims belonged to the Scheduled Castes and nine were women, highlighting the impact on daily-wage workers from marginalized communities. Nine of the injured remained in critical condition while two of the 11 were out of danger.

Rescue teams and police worked at the site as the state government monitored the situation and planned further action. The tragedy has shocked villagers and workers in the explosion-prone fireworks sector, prompting calls for tighter safety norms and enforcement.

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