Blast at Kakinada Firecracker Unit: 10 Workers Burnt, 15 Trapped

At least ten workers were reportedly burned alive, and 15 others remain trapped after a powerful blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village in Samarlakota Mandal on Saturday afternoon. The explosion occurred around 2.45 p.m., leaving several bodies scattered far from the unit, according to locals who witnessed the incident.

Vetlapalem, a hub for firecracker production in Kakinada district, houses multiple manufacturing units. The blast took place in Surya Fire Works, one of four units lined up side by side, owned by Adabala Veerababu of Vetlapalem.

Kakinada District Superintendent G. Bindu Madhav confirmed the casualties, stating, “At least ten workers have been burnt alive in the blast.”

Fire tenders from Kakinada city and the nearby Peddapuram industrial complex rushed to the scene. Authorities said the unit held a valid license to operate until 2027. Rescue operations are underway to evacuate the trapped workers.