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Kerala: Blast at Mundathicode fireworks unit tears through paddy field, killing at least 12
A powerful explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathicode, Kerala, tore through a paddy field around 3:30 pm, killing at least 12 people and injuring several others. Firefighters faced ongoing explosions while attempting to reach the site, and residents helped evacuate the injured as ambulances ferried them to hospital.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights safety concerns around local fireworks production and the impact on rural communities during festival preparations.
Timeline
2 Events
Rescue efforts and immediate response
April 21, 2026
Firefighters and rescue personnel arrived but had to halt progress as intermittent explosions continued. They sprayed water from a distance and waited for blasts to subside before proceeding. Residents were among the first on the scene, helping carry the injured across the slushy terrain and collecting scattered remains. The injured were rushed to hospitals, with ambulances shuttling between the site and facilities such as Government Medical College, Thrissur.
Explosion at Mundathicode fireworks unit
April 21, 2026
Around 3:30 pm, a powerful explosion tore through a cluster of temporary sheds in a paddy field at a fireworks unit in Mundathicode, with fire and thick black smoke rising into the sky. Officials said at least 12 people were killed and several others injured as flames spread through the facility where firecrackers were being prepared for a local festival. About 40 workers were believed to be present at the time.