Amaravati, March 1 – The death toll from the explosion at a firecracker unit in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, rose to 21 on Sunday as one of the injured succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.
Darsipathi Lavaraju (40), one of the injured, died at Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH) early Sunday morning.
Eight other injured are receiving treatment at GGH Kakinada, while one is being treated in Peddapuram.
Twenty workers, including nine women, were killed in the explosion at the firecracker unit in Vetlapalem village on Saturday afternoon.
Minister for Municipal Administration, P. Narayana, said the condition of the injured remained critical.
He stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the firecracker unit had employed more workers than permitted by authorities, and that some of them were not fully trained.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who visited the site of the explosion and met with the injured at GGH on Saturday night, announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of the deceased. He also assured the injured of the best possible medical care.
The Chief Minister ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. He ordered the suspension of the Peddapuram Revenue Divisional Officer, Peddapuram Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Labour Officer, and the District Fire Officer for negligence.
He stated that strong action would be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again. He also stated that the properties of those found responsible for such incidents would be seized.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the injured at Kakinada GGH on Sunday. He was shocked to see the victims with burns.
The Deputy CM inquired about the reasons for the explosion from the District Collector and Superintendent of Police.
He spoke to the families of the victims and offered them comfort. Pawan Kalyan also inquired about the details of the deceased and injured, as well as the medical facilities being provided to the injured in the hospital.
He ordered the district administration and medical staff to ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment.
Pawan Kalyan was accompanied by State Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana, State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, State Tourism Minister Shri Kandula Durgesh, MPs, and MLAs.
