Explosion at firecracker unit: Governor, Chief Minister express shock over loss of lives

Governor S. Abdul Nazeer expressed deep anguish and profound grief over the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district on Saturday.

In a message, he offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery of the injured.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a social media post, expressed shock over the accident and said it was unfortunate that several lives were lost. He instructed the authorities to extend all possible assistance to the injured and to the next of kin of the deceased. The relief efforts were being closely monitored, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan said in a press release that the explosion was deeply shocking. He said that the district officials were told to maintain constant surveillance on firecracker units and strictly inspect safety measures.

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh and Kakinada MP Tangella Uday Srinivas were asked to visit the site and oversee the relief operations.

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said in a press release that he was pained by the incident and assured the families of the victims that the government would stand by them in this hour of suffering.

YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said in a release that he was deeply shaken by the incident, and expressed condolences to the families of the workers who lost their lives. The government should announce appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and stand by them, and provide immediate and better medical treatment to the injured, he said.

BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav said in a release that the incident was shocking and death of workers was heartbreaking. ​The fact that the impact of the explosion damaged schools and houses in a 5-km radius reflected the intensity of the blast, he observed.