Overview
- The explosion at a temporary fireworks unit in Mundathikode on Tuesday afternoon tore through multiple sheds, killed 14 people, and may have claimed more lives pending DNA results.
- The Kerala cabinet designated the incident a state‑specific disaster and announced Rs 14 lakh for each bereaved family, Rs 2 lakh for the injured, and six months of state‑funded medical care.
- Identification is difficult as authorities recovered nine complete bodies and over 32 body parts, with Rajiv Gandhi Institute teams collecting samples and results expected in three to four days.
- A Special Investigation Team is probing the cause alongside a one‑member judicial commission led by Justice C. N. Ramachandran Nair, with additional forensic units and PESO support on site.
- A high‑level meeting decided the Thrissur Pooram rituals will proceed without the sample or main fireworks, only symbolic crackers will be used, and the Kudamattam umbrella exchange will be cut to about 15 minutes.