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11 killed, 7 hurt in cracker unit blast
At least 11 persons were burnt to death and seven others injured in a big explosion at an illegal cracker manufacturing unit at Vakatippa village under Uppada Kothapalli mandal in East Godavari district on Monday. The dead included 9 women.
Kakinada: At least 11 persons were burnt to death and seven others injured in a big explosion at an illegal cracker manufacturing unit at Vakatippa village under Uppada Kothapalli mandal in East Godavari district on Monday. The dead included 9 women.
- Tragedy strikes workers suddenly as they were busy making crackers
- Injured workers were seen lying on the floor, writhing in pain and screaming with their skin peeled off
- Officials turn a blind eye to manufacturing of firecrackers though licence for the unit expired in March
There was a huge explosion which could be heard in the nearby areas at around 2.45 am. A large number of people were working in the unit at the time of explosion.
Deputy Chief Minister N Chainarajpappa and Minister of Endowments P Manikyala Rao visited the village and expressed condolence over the loss of life.
The dead were identified as Draksharapu Kantham (50), Draksharapu Chinna Bulli (45), Masakapalli Vijaya Kumari (28), Masakapalli Kumari (24), Masakapalli Appayamma (55), Vullamparthi Kama Raju (28), Arjangi Ratnam (19), Vundrasi Keerthi (19), Vasamsetty Raghava (50), Thutta Sathi Babu (20), Kasi Appala Raju (30).
East Godavari District Collector Neetu Prasad, who visited the spot, said, "There was a sudden blast. Eleven workers at the unit, including nine women, were killed in the mishap.” Licence for the unit expired on March 31 last and officials refused to renew it. The unit was located in a residential area. .
As many as 36 persons, including children, were working in the factory when the tragedy struck them. The management of the cracker manufacturing unit tried to skirt the issue of total number of people working in the unit when the blast occurred.
As soon as the explosion occurred, flames leapt up and thick black smoke billowed out of the cracker manufacturing unit.
Heart-rending scenes for help from those trapped inside were heard. The eye-witnesses claimed to have heard the deafening sound of the blast several kilometres away. Eye-witnesses narrated scenes of horror at the blast site with the injured lying on the floor, writhing in pain and screaming with their skin peeled off in the sudden burst of explosive material stocked for manufacturing crackers.
The death toll, it is feared, may rise. The district administration ordered magisterial inquiry to find out as to how the manufacturing unit was allowed to function though the licence was not renewed and the role of the officials.
