Thrissur pooram fireworks contractor Satheesh dies after explosion; death toll rises to 15

Satheesh, the licensed fireworks contractor responsible for preparations for Thrissur Pooram, has died following injuries sustained in a massive explosion at a fireworks manufacturing site in Mundathikode, Thrissur. The death toll has now risen to 15. 

The incident occurred at a licensed fireworks shed owned by him, where crackers and rockets were being prepared for the Thiruvambadi Devaswom Board. Satheesh, who had been overseeing operations and had been associated with the Pooram fireworks contract since 2011, had suffered severe burn injuries in the blast and was undergoing treatment at Thrissur Medical College Hospital.

Eyewitnesses reported that the disaster began with two powerful explosions, followed by a chain of continuous blasts as stored firecrackers detonated one after another. The sound of the explosions was heard several kilometres away, sending panic through nearby areas.

Around forty workers were engaged at the site when the explosion occurred on Tuesday. The fireworks shed and surrounding materials were completely destroyed in the incident.