Vetlapalem blast: two more succumb, toll rises to 24

Pallipati Veera Srinu (45) and Chitikala Lakshmi (50), who were severely injured in the blast in the Sri Surya firecracker unit on February 28, succumbed to burn injuries while being treated in a hospital in Kakinada city on Wednesday. The total number of deaths has now risen to 24. Seven survivors are still battling for life in various hospitals in Kakinada city. 

According to an official release, the State government has constituted a two-member committee to inquire into the blast, in which 20 workers were burnt alive on February 28. The committee comprises of S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Municipal Administration and Urban Development, and Ake Ravikrishna, Head, EAGLE (Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement, Andhra Pradesh). The committee has been tasked with submitting its report within 30 days.