36 years later, revisiting a blast that killed 10 female workers in Tripunithura

Kochi: The explosion at a firecracker storage facility in Tripunithura on Monday brought back painful memories for those who still recall a similar incident that occurred here 36 years ago.  

Unlike the blast that took place at a storage unit on Monday morning, the explosion that killed 10 female workers occurred at an explosive manufacturing unit on March 5, 1988. The unit, manufacturing explosives used in the quarries, was operating in the middle of marshy land near the house of Jorwil K. Joseph in Tripunithura. 

The deceased were Vijayamma (25), Sanaja (22), Philomena (28), Tressyama (45), Madhavi (50), Rama (38), Mariyakutty (50), Kunjamma (50), Chinamma (40) and Eriyamma (35). Five of them died on the spot. The workers were paid Rs 18 per day to work at the unit. 

The locals initially thought that an explosion had occurred at the Kochi Refineries. The explosion was so powerful that it blew off the roof of the building. Several houses in the nearby premises also suffered damage.

The explosion occurred just an hour before it was scheduled to close for six months because there was not enough demand for the explosives.