Thrissur, Kerala: The explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode in the district that killed at least 13 people has revived painful memories of past accidents linked to temple festivals in the state.

The latest incident, which occurred while crackers were being prepared for a temple devaswom ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram, mirrors several past tragedies in both scale and nature.

Also read | Thrissur fireworks blast: Survivor recalls seconds before explosion as 14 killed, ‘I saw a flash…’

A detailed look at previous accidents reveals a disturbing pattern:

  • 1952 – Sabarimala fireworks accident: A major mishap claimed 68 lives, one of the earliest large-scale tragedies linked to temple fireworks.
  • 1978 – Thrissur Pooram accident: During the Pooram fireworks display, explosive projectiles (gundus) shot into the crowd and exploded, killing six people.
  • 1987 – Kuttamooli fireworks accident: At Kuttamooli temple in Velur, Thrissur, a fireworks mishap resulted in 20 deaths.
  • 1990 – Malanada fireworks accident: At Malanada temple at Poruvazhy in Kollam, a fireworks explosion killed 26 people.
  • 2004 – Thrissur Pooram sample fireworks tragedy: During the sample fireworks, Kundannur Sundaran, who was in charge of Thiruvambady’s fireworks, was killed when an ‘amittu’ (explosive) burst, leaving behind a painful memory associated with Pooram.
  • 2006 – Fireworks preparation accident (Viyyur, Thrissur):
    During preparations for Pooram sample fireworks at a manufacturing unit in Viyyur, linked to the Paramekkavu group, an explosion killed four people on the spot. The accident occurred while explosive mixtures for fireworks, including gunpowder compounds, were being prepared. The licensed operator was Vennur Radhakrishnan. Eyewitnesses reported a massive fireball rising with a loud blast, with the sound heard kilometres away. Human remains were scattered across the area, making identification difficult. The work was being carried out in two small sheds, one of which was completely destroyed in the explosion.
  • 2011 – Thrangali fireworks accident: Near Shoranur, Palakkad, a fire broke out at a fireworks storage shed, killing 13 people.
  • 2013 – Kulangunnath fireworks unit explosion: In Palakkad’s Panniyamkurissi, an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit killed six people.
  • 2016 – Puttingal temple disaster: Kerala’s worst fireworks tragedy occurred at Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, Kollam, killing 110 people, injuring 656, damaging 356 houses, and causing losses of Rs 58 lakh to KSEB.
  • 2024 – Tripunithura fireworks accident: An explosion at a building where fireworks brought for a temple festival were stored led to two deaths and caused damage to over 270 houses.

The Mundathikode explosion, which occurred under similar circumstances during fireworks preparation, now joins this long list of tragedies. With Thrissur Pooram just days away, the state faces renewed urgency to ensure that these “tearful memories” are not repeated.