Special Team to Investigate Kasimkota Firecracker Unit Tragedy
A devastating fire at a firecracker unit in Anakapalli claims 8 lives. Authorities probe safety violations, with a focus on raw material limits and factory negligence.
Visakhapatnam: A special team has been formed to investigate the devastating fire accident at a firecracker unit in Kasimkota, Anakapalli district, on Sunday afternoon. The fire claimed eight lives and left eight others severely injured.
The investigation is being led by the SDPO of Narasipatnam, with additional teams from hospitals including KGH, the Narsipatnam Area Hospital and the Medicover Hospital, providing medical care to the injured. Coordination teams have also been formed to assist the families of the deceased and injured. District-level authorities closely monitor the situation.
The Anakapalli police have registered a case against the owner and the manager of the fire factory, where a devastating fire accident occurred at a firecracker unit in Kasimkota, Anakapalli district, on Sunday afternoon at 12:25, which claimed eight lives and left eight severely injured.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha told the media that only five out of the 40 firecracker factories in the district have valid licences. “A statewide probe is underway to ensure compliance with safety regulations.”
She said preliminary investigations suggested that the factory exceeded permissible limits for raw materials. Samples from the mishap scene have been sent to the forensic science agency for analysis.
Anakapalli SP Tuhin Sinha said negligence cases have been registered against two individuals. Factory owner Appikonda Pallayya (50) was among those dead in the mishap. Manager Janaki Ram was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The fire originated in Unit 2, where a blast took place during the grinding and mixing of sulfur and carbon. The fire spread to Unit 1, resulting in the fatal explosion, police said.
Director general of fire safety, Madhu Pratap Reddy, has initiated state-wide inspections of firecracker units. Reddy, whose failure to enforce rule came in for criticism, said. “The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would be distributed to ensure safety compliance across the sector.”
The SP mentioned that although the permissible limit of raw materials was 15kg, final reports from the forensic science laboratory would determine whether this limit was exceeded.
Among the injured, two individuals were admitted to the Narsipatnam Area Hospital, four at KGH Hospital and two have been shifted to a corporate hospital for better care. Last rites for seven victims were performed while arrangements were made to shift one victim to a hospital in Srikakulam.
