Mundathikode fireworks accident: One more person dies, toll rises to 17

THRISSUR: One more person who was undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries in the Mundathikode fireworks accident has died. The deceased has been identified as Rakesh, a native of Thrissur. He was undergoing treatment at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital. With this, the death toll in the fireworks tragedy has risen to 17. Rakesh had suffered more than 85% burn injuries.

The explosion occurred on the 21st at a fireworks manufacturing unit linked to the Thrissur Pooram (Thiruvambady section). Another death was reported the previous day. Unnikrishnan (57), also known as Babu, from Vattamkulam in Edappal, Malappuram, died around 8:45 pm. He had been under treatment in the burns ICU and was later shifted to a ventilator due to his critical condition.

Earlier, Satheesh (46), a fireworks contractor from Mundathikode, had also died. Authorities are currently awaiting DNA test results to identify some unrecognised body remains kept in the medical college mortuary. Reports say the tests were completed on a war footing and results have been handed over to District Collector Sikha Surendran. Unnikrishnan’s body will be handed over to his relatives after completing police procedures.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has stated that extreme heat was not the cause of the accident. Authorities are now examining the possibility of a short circuit. The Electrical Inspectorate has also concluded that heat was not the reason behind the explosion.