Thrissur firework blast: Forensic probe on to find chemicals used for crackers
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): Two days after the blast at a fireworks manufacturing unit at Mundathicode here that claimed 14 lives, a police forensic team is examining what chemicals were being used to make the crackers and whether any of them were prohibited.
A forensic official said samples were being collected from the blast site and following laboratory testing of the materials it can be determined what chemicals were being used at the unit and if any of them were restricted.
The test report would be handed over to the jurisdictional court and the investigation officer to carry out further probe, he said.
The tests will also reveal whether the blast occurred due to any mixing of the chemicals present at the site, he added.
The official further said that in view of the seriousness of the matter, the entire forensic team, of around 14 members, has been deputed for taking samples and testing them. Therefore, the results would be available quickly, he said.
"The results will indicate what actually happened," he told a TV channel.
As of Wednesday evening, 14 persons died due to the blast even as the district authorities said the number was likely to increase following the DNA tests of the over 32 body parts found from the blast site.
Authorities had also said that four persons were missing in the incident.
Taking note of the extent of the tragedy, the Kerala government declared the blast a 'state-specific disaster' -- which allows the administration to provide immediate relief and aid -- and announced a financial assistance of Rs 14 lakh to the dependents of those who died in the incident.
The government also decided to appoint a single-member judicial commission, comprising former Kerala High Court judge Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, to carry out a probe into the incident.
The explosion took place around 3.30 pm on Tuesday at the fireworks unit engaged in cracker preparation for the Thiruvambady devaswom ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram on April 26.
Firecrackers were being manufactured in multiple temporary sheds located in an isolated area amid paddy fields, and around 40 people were suspected to have been present there.
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No unannounced load shedding in Kerala, outages due to overload, says Minister
Palakkad (PTI): Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty on Saturday said there was no unannounced load shedding in the state, attributing recent power interruptions to temporary overload caused by high consumption.
Clarifying concerns raised from various parts of the state, the minister said the disruptions are not deliberate but occur when demand peaks, particularly between 10 pm and 11 pm.
"It is not being done intentionally. Power consumption has risen sharply, and when there is excessive and indiscriminate usage, the system experiences overload, leading to natural supply interruptions," he told reporters here.
His remarks come amid complaints that several areas have been witnessing frequent power cuts, often lasting around 15 minutes and occurring multiple times during the night.
Krishnankutty said the state's power demand has crossed 6,195 MW, putting pressure on the supply system. He added that around 70 per cent of Kerala's electricity is procured from outside, and existing power banking arrangements have been exhausted.
"We have approached the Regulatory Commission seeking permission to purchase more power. However, this will come at a higher cost," he said.
The minister said the government is trying to avoid increasing electricity tariffs and urged consumers to exercise restraint in usage to help manage the situation.
Responding to opposition criticism over the ruling LDF's earlier claims of a decade without power cuts, he said the current situation is not unique to Kerala.
A power crisis is emerging across the country, he said, and sarcastically asked the Opposition to take note of the role of natural factors in this.
Krishnankutty expressed confidence that the situation would improve within two days, while cautioning that long-term energy security would depend on enhancing in-state power generation.
He also warned that future generations could face serious challenges if adequate electricity production capacity is not developed within Kerala.
