Thrissur blast disaster should be a wake-up call
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It is extremely sad that 13 people were killed in a massive explosion at five factories manufacturing fireworks for the Thrissur Pooram. The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Mundathikkode fireworks factory in Thrissur, which manufactures fireworks for the Thiruvambady Devaswom Board. The explosion occurred in the factories where the sample fireworks for the Thrissur Pooram, which is scheduled to be held on April 24, were being manufactured. Each recurring fireworks disaster in Kerala shakes the conscience of the state, yet the question of why human lives cannot be saved from such man-made tragedies is one that should stir our humanity. One can only despairingly hope that this turns out to be the final opportunity to put an end to the tragic loss of lives in the fervour of creating celestial spectacles for ritual celebrations.
Even before the shock of the firework disaster that killed 25 people in Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu had faded, Kerala has been struck by an even more heartbreaking accident. The tenth anniversary of the explosion at Puttingal in Kollam district, which claimed 110 lives, had only just passed on April 10. Two weeks ago, an explosion during the manufacture of fireworks in Kurikathoor near Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode district killed two people. In every disaster, investigations tend to arrive at the same finding — the culpable negligence of failing to ensure adequate safety measures. One of the allegations raised at the time in connection with the Puttingal accident was that the decisions of the authorities had been overridden. There had been demands to ban the competitive fireworks display, which has been held for decades, citing its hazardous nature, and the authorities had initially denied permission. However, as pressure mounted to include fireworks as part of the ritual, the display went ahead after prolonged arguments. The devastating tragedy at Puttingal was caused when fireworks that exploded during the competition were flung into the storage area. Even the temple’s concrete structures collapsed in the blast. Apart from the heavy loss of life, around 700 people were seriously injured and have had to live with lasting suffering. Although similar concerns have been raised regarding the Thrissur Pooram fireworks, no clear decision has yet been taken. The fireworks remain the main attraction of the Pooram, but it is equally essential that they do not come at the cost of human lives.
There are meticulous procedures to ensure safety in the storage of chemicals and other raw materials, as well as in the manufacture of fireworks. However, it is the indifferent approach of authorities, for whom these remain confined to paper, that paves the way for laws to be flouted. Extreme caution is required when mixing chemicals, especially during the summer. It is widely known that poor-quality materials and the failure to maintain safe distances between crowds and fireworks storage areas significantly increase the risk of disaster. Yet, experience shows that such guidelines are frequently ignored. Fireworks sheds and manufacturing units must be located away from densely populated areas. These facilities should be spacious enough to safely accommodate both workers and explosive materials. Investigators in the Virudhunagar disaster found that even basic safety standards had not been met in the construction and operation of the facility. The disaster in Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode, in the first week of April occurred during the manufacture of fireworks inside a house. It is reported that the narrow access road to the Mundathikkode manufacturing sheds made it difficult for the fire and rescue services to reach the site easily.
While paying tribute to those who lost their lives in Mundathikkode, one can only hope that this tragedy serves as a wake-up call for Kerala. Such incidents demand a serious reconsideration of practices that put human lives at risk for the sake of rituals and celebrations. It is not enough to merely repeat the routine of waking up in shock after accidents, announcing investigations, and submitting recommendations and suggestions. It is high time we recognise that such mass tragedies are the result of our mismanagement and ensured foolproof safety systems and strict enforcement of the law.