At least 18 people were killed in a massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village of Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh, triggering shock and grief across the state.
The explosion occurred at a crackers manufacturing facility in Vetlapalem, leading to extensive damage and multiple casualties. Local authorities rushed to the spot soon after the blast, while rescue and relief operations were launched to search for survivors and shift the injured to nearby hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the tragic incident. In a statement, he said he was pained by the loss of lives in the explosion and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.
The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will receive ₹50,000 as financial assistance.
Officials are investigating the cause of the explosion. Preliminary reports suggest that the blast took place during manufacturing activities at the unit. Further details are awaited as authorities continue their probe into possible safety lapses.
