18 feared dead after massive explosion at firecracker unit in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: At least 18 people are feared dead in a massive explosion at a firecracker unit in Vetla Palem village, Samalkota Mandal in Kakinada district.The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at the Surya Sri firework unit, which was located in agricultural fields between Vetla Palem and G Medapadu. About 35 workers were present at the time of the accident. The death toll is expected to rise, and fire personnel are struggling to control the flames. The bodies of the deceased were blown away by the force of the explosion, making it difficult for rescue teams to identify them, as body parts were scattered across the fields. Several houses were damaged due to the blast. Most of the workers at the unit were women. A few fire-related explosions have occurred in the village in the past, resulting in multiple casualties, as the region is known for its firecracker units. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed home minister Vangalapudi Anitha to rush to the site.