Thrissur: The Kerala government on Wednesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the deadly fireworks accident at Mundathikkode in Thrissur, even as it announced a compensation package for the victims and their families.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting, with Revenue Minister K. Rajan stating that the incident would also be declared a state-specific disaster.
The probe team will be headed by Justice (retired) C.N. Ramachandran Nair.
Addressing the media soon after the cabinet meeting, he said as part of the relief measures, the government will provide Rs 14 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives, which will include Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund and Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The injured will receive Rs 2 lakh each.
The explosion at a fireworks storage facility on Tuesday claimed 13 lives, sending shockwaves across the state.
Authorities said nine bodies have so far been brought to the mortuary, of which seven have been identified.
The identified victims include Sudarshan (54) from Pazhayannur in Thrissur; Vasudevan (54) from Kachoor in Palakkad; Suvin (40) from Kundannur in Thrissur; Manikandan (60) from Edappal; Subramanian (50) from Kulathur in Malappuram; Bijish from Chirakkal; and Manikandan (33) from Kottappuram, who was not associated with the fireworks unit but was a local resident.
Officials said that in addition to the bodies, 26 human body parts have been recovered and are currently kept in the mortuary, complicating identification efforts.
Forensic examinations are underway to establish the identities of the remaining victims.
The scale of the tragedy has raised serious concerns over safety protocols in the handling and storage of fireworks.
The judicial probe is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the explosion, accountability lapses, and adherence to safety regulations.
Meanwhile, the administration continues rescue, identification, and relief efforts, even as the state grapples with one of its worst fireworks-related disasters in recent years.
(IANS)
