The death toll from the explosion at a firecrackers unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district has reached 21, with one of the injured individuals passing away at a hospital on Sunday. Darsipathi Lavaraju, aged 40, succumbed to his injuries at Kakinada Government General Hospital early Sunday morning. Eight injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at GGH Kakinada, while another person is being treated at Peddapuram.
Twenty workers, including nine women, lost their lives in the explosion at the firecrackers unit in Vetlapalem village on Saturday afternoon. Minister for Municipal Administration P. Narayana noted that the condition of the injured remains critical. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firecrackers unit had exceeded the permitted number of workers and some were not adequately skilled.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, after visiting the site of the explosion and meeting with the injured at GGH on Saturday night, announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each deceased worker’s family. He also pledged the best possible medical care for the injured. A thorough investigation into the incident has been ordered by the Chief Minister, who also suspended several officials for negligence.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the injured at Kakinada GGH on Sunday, expressing shock at the victims’ burns. He inquired about the explosion’s causes from the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, offering condolences to the victims’ families. Pawan Kalyan ensured that the district administration and medical staff prioritize providing the best treatment to the injured.
