One man lost his life and 12 others were injured in an explosion at a cracker unit in Ernakulam district's Tripunithura on Monday. The victim was identified as Thiruvananthapuram native Vishnu, a worker at the unit.
Three critically injured were shifted to the Kalamassery Medical College while others were taken to Tripunithura Taluk Hospital.
At least 25 houses in Puthiyakavu Vadakkupuram locality were damaged following the explosion that happened at around 10:30am, Manorama Online reported. The impact of the blast was felt at a two-kilometre radius and two vehicles were also destroyed, the report added.
It is yet to be confirmed what caused a fire in the cracker unit in Oorakkad. Fireworks to be used for the Puthiyakavu temple festival were being stored here. It is suspected that the explosion happened while crackers were being unloaded from a vehicle, the Manorama report said. The vehicle used for the transportation was among the two destroyed.
At least a dozen houses were situated in the vicinity of the blast site. The locals initially believed a gas cylinder exploded somewhere in the vicinity. But they understood the gravity of the situation as they heard five more blasts. Soon they joined police and fire and rescue units in rescue efforts.
