At least 20 individuals lost their lives, and 15 others sustained injuries in a significant explosion at a firecracker production facility near Samarlakota in Andhra Pradesh. The tragic incident took place at Suryashri Fireworks close to the Godavari canal in Vetlapalem, Samarlakota mandal, around 2 p.m., as confirmed by Labour Minister Vamsetti Subhash.
The force of the blast was so intense that workers’ bodies were hurled into nearby agricultural fields, causing panic among residents in the vicinity. The explosion led to massive flames engulfing the fireworks unit, resulting in dense smoke and audible blasts up to 5 kilometers away.
Local villages experienced shattered windows in homes, and a school building in a nearby area suffered structural damage. Emergency response teams, including firefighting personnel with fire engines, rushed to the scene to combat the blaze alongside police and other departments. Fifteen injured individuals were promptly transported to hospitals for treatment, with a majority of them being women.
District officials, including the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, swiftly arrived at the site to oversee rescue and relief efforts. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock at the incident and instructed immediate action for rescue operations. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan extended condolences to the affected families, ensuring government support and ongoing efforts to address the situation.
