Vetlapalem firecracker unit blast toll rises to 22, two brothers taken into custody

The two brothers, Adabala Veerababu, 31, and Arjun, 29, were reportedly taken into custody by Kakinada district police on Monday in connection with the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village that has claimed 22 lives so far. The blast occurred on February 28 at the unit owned by the accused. Their father, Adabala Srinivasa Rao, was among those burnt alive in the incident. Nine injured persons are battling for life in various hospitals. The toll rose to 22 on Monday following the death of another injured victim who had been undergoing treatment. According to an official release, Darsi Raju, 30, succumbed to burn injuries on Monday while undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada.

A senior police official associated with the probe told The Hindu that the two brothers had been taken into custody and were being interrogated in connection with the Vetlapalem blast case. When contacted, Kakinada Superintendent of Police G. Bindu Madhav declined to comment. The official arrest of the accused has not yet been formally announced.

Peddapuram Station Fire Officer M. Srihari Jagannath said that a vigilance committee comprising officials from the fire services, revenue and police departments had last inspected the Surya Fireworks unit at Vetlapalem in January 2025. On January 13, 2025, the unit owners were directed not to resume manufacturing activity until further orders. The unit was barred from producing crackers pending clearance from the district-level committee headed by District Collector S. Shan Mohan, Mr. Srihari Jagannath told The Hindu.

Despite the temporary ban, the accused allegedly resumed manufacturing activities, reportedly with the support of local political leaders, according to an official tasked with monitoring firecracker units in the Peddapuram police circle. It is also alleged that local police were aware of the operations. Following the incident, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu suspended the Peddapuram DSP after visiting the blast site on February 28.

Sources associated with the Vigilance Department said that the total quantity of explosive material, both used and unused, at the unit on February 28 was estimated to be not less than 200 kg. As per norms, the unit was permitted to use only 15 kg of explosive material per day, with a maximum of four workers engaged in manufacturing.

Despite these restrictions, the accused allegedly resumed production to supply crackers for a temple event in Kakinada district. Referring to the preliminary investigation, Mr. Srihari Jagannath told The Hindu that the intensity of the blast appeared to be severe, as the crackers were allegedly packed with a much higher quantity of explosive material than permitted.