Crackers were stored in Tripunithura illegally, says collector, violates police warning

KOCHI: District Collector N S K Umesh said that firecrackers which led to the explosion in Tripunithura was stored illegally. He said no application was given to bring gun powder. The crackers were stored without permission and no permission was given for the fireworks, said the police and fire force.

The explosion happened at 11 am today. Vishnu, a resident of Ulloor in Thiruvananthapuram died in the explosion. 12 people were injured. Four of them have been admitted at Kalamassery Medical College Hospital and the others at Tripunithura Taluk Hospital. 25 houses nearby were also damaged. The firecrackers brought to the festival at Puthiya Kavu fest exploded.

The crackers brought from Palakkad exploded when they were being unloaded from Tempo Traveler to a nearby concrete building. The police, fire brigade and local people brought the fire under control. An investigation is underway to see if there are any explosives under the building. Eyewitnesses said there was a major explosion. The explosion was felt up to a kilometer away. Two vehicles were burnt. The fire also spread to nearby shops.