Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced ₹20 lakh compensation each for the families of those who died in the Vetlapalem fireworks factory blast in Samarlakota mandal of Kakinada district. He said the Central government will provide an additional ₹2 lakh ex gratia.
After visiting the injured at Kakinada Government General Hospital on Saturday night, the Chief Minister described the incident as deeply unfortunate. He said most of the victims belonged to weaker sections, with 12 from SC communities and eight women among the deceased. He assured that children of the victims would be given education in residential schools.
Calling the blast a serious lapse, Chandrababu said preliminary findings indicate negligence in safety measures. He ordered a full technical inquiry into the incident. As immediate action, the RDO, DSP, district labour officer and the concerned fire department officer were suspended. He warned that strict action would be taken against all responsible persons, including the factory owner, and said properties could be seized if required to support victims.
The Chief Minister also announced that CCTV cameras would be installed in high risk industrial units and monitored through command control systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Setting aside regular protocol, Chandrababu rushed to the accident site after receiving information during his Vizianagaram tour. He travelled in the district collector’s vehicle instead of his usual convoy and walked through muddy roads in low light to inspect the damaged unit. He later visited the mortuary, met grieving families and interacted with the injured.
Victims’ families told him that due to limited agricultural work, they depended on fireworks units for daily wages of around ₹700. They requested alternative employment options.
Daggubati Purandeswari termed the tragedy deeply painful and called for strict action against those responsible for violating safety norms.
Later at Rajamahendravaram airport, Chandrababu briefly met Pawan Kalyan, who was arriving to visit the victims’ families. Both leaders discussed the incident before continuing their respective visits.
The tragedy has once again raised serious questions about enforcement of safety standards in fireworks units operating in rural areas.
