Amid growing concern over the devastating Mundathikode fireworks tragedy linked to the famed Thrissur Pooram, Kerala Devaswoms Minister V. N. Vasavan on Friday announced a detailed investigation into the incident, including whether excessive explosive materials were stored at the site.
Thrissur
Recovery operations are ongoing, with authorities continuing to find human remains in areas far beyond the blast location. The minister stated that the government will hold comprehensive discussions to prevent such tragedies in the future, including reconsidering the nature of fireworks displays. Emphasizing safety and global standards, Vasavan suggested that fireworks should focus more on visual appeal rather than loud noise, drawing comparisons with international events such as the Olympics. In light of the tragedy, this year’s Thrissur Pooram fireworks display has already been cancelled.
Providing an update on casualties, officials confirmed that 14 people have lost their lives in the incident. Initially, 10 victims were identified, with one additional confirmation later. However, the recovery of 29 sets of human remains has complicated the identification process, prompting the use of DNA testing. Four individuals are still reported missing, while four injured persons remain in critical condition. Those with minor injuries have since been discharged.
Authorities revealed that a total of 38 people were present at the site during the explosion, although official records verifying the exact number were destroyed in the blast. The intensity of the explosion is evident from the widespread dispersal of body parts, with search teams discovering remains in distant locations. Portions of a head were found approximately 400 metres away, while parts of a hand were recovered nearly a kilometre from the site.
Officials suspect that stray animals may have contributed to the scattering of remains. Additional fragments have been located in nearby agricultural fields, and search operations are continuing with the assistance of trained cadaver dogs. Police teams, along with local residents, are combing nearby residential areas to ensure no remains are left undiscovered.
To speed up identification, a mobile DNA testing unit has been deployed at Thrissur Medical College, where samples from all recovered remains have been sent for analysis. Authorities expect initial DNA results to arrive soon, which will be crucial in confirming the identities of victims and understanding the full scale of the tragedy.
