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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Assembly polls: Voting ends, TN witnesses record 82.24 per cent turnout
Chennai (PTI): Voting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election ended at 6 PM on Thursday and electors who gathered in the polling stations before the time for closure of polling were allowed to vote, officials said.
About 82.24 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters exercised their franchise in the election to the 234-member strong Tamil Nadu Assembly, a record turnout. This was the provincial figure till 5 pm and the final data will be made available following consolidation of data, officials added.
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People voted in as many as 75,064 polling stations in 33,133 locations to decide the fortunes of 4,023 candidates.
The DMK, which heads the Secular Progressive Alliance, is seeking to retain power, and is leading a multi-party coalition that includes Congress, Left parties and the VCK. The AIADMK, heading the National Democratic Alliance, on the other hand, is pushing for a return to power with allies BJP, AMMK and PMK, among others, in tow.
Actor Vijay-led TVK is attempting to break the decades long tradition of DMK and AIADMK alternatively ruling the state and form its government.
Despite the scorching sun, people turned up enthusiastically in polling stations right from 7 AM onwards and cast their votes and those who had gathered before 6 PM, the appointed time for closure of polling, were allowed to vote.
