Death toll in Andhra crackers unit blast rises to 21
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Amaravati: The death toll from the explosion at a firecracker facility in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district climbed to 21, with one of the injured dying at a hospital on Sunday.
Darsipathi Lavaraju, 40, died early Sunday morning at Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH).
Eight injured people are undergoing treatment at GGH Kakinada while a person is under treatment at Peddapuram.
Twenty workers, including nine women, were burnt alive in the explosion at a firecracker unit at Vetlapalem village on Saturday afternoon.
Minister for Municipal Administration P. Narayana said the condition of the injured remained critical, IANS reported.
He said it was found during preliminary investigation that the firecracker unit had employed more workers than permitted by authorities, and that some of them were not fully skilled.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who visited the site of the explosion and called on the injured at GGH on Saturday night, announced Rs 20 lakh compensation each for the families of the deceased. He also assured the best possible treatment for the injured.
The Chief Minister ordered a thorough probe into the incident. He ordered the suspension of Peddapuram Revenue Divisional Officer, Peddapuram Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Labour Officer and the District Fire Officer for negligence.
He said strong action will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. He said the properties of people found responsible for such incidents would be confiscated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan called on the injured at Kakinada GGH on Sunday. He was shocked to see the victims with burns.
The Deputy CM enquired about the reasons for the explosion from the District Collector and the Superintendent of police.
He spoke to the family members of the victims and consoled them. Pawan Kalyan also enquired about the details of the deceased and the injured and the medical facilities being provided to the injured in the hospital.
He ordered the district administration and medical staff to ensure that the injured receive better treatment
Pawan Kalyan was accompanied by State Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana, State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, State Tourism Minister Shri Kandula Durgesh, MPs and MLAs.