CM orders inquiry into Vetlapalem fire cracker unit blast incident
RDO, DSP, District Labour officer and fire officer suspended
Kakinada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry into blast incident at a fire cracker manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village of Kakinada district, which resulted in the death of 20 people including nine women. The Chief Minister also ordered for suspension of RDO, DSP, District Labour Officer and Fire officer.
The Chief Minister who participated in pension distribution at Cheepurupalli of Vizianagaram district today, rushed to Samalkot, immediately after receiving information about the blast in firecracker manufacturing unit. The Chief Minister inspected the mishap site setting aside security and later visited the local hospital and government general hospital at Kakinada to personally meet the inujured people who are undergoing treatment.
Later speaking to media persons, at the hospital, the Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the incident in which 20 people died including 9 women and the condition of nine people is said to be serious and 31 inured. He said all the victims of the blast mishap are hailing from poor families and working in the fire cricker unit for livelihood. Stating that the state government is taking it as a serious issue ordered inquiry into the blast incident and suspended the RDO, DSP, district labour officer and fire officer on the spot. He said after completion of inquiry, action will be taken on all those who are found guilty for the lapses. He said some people are violating the rules, resulting in such mishaps costing the lives of poor. He said such persons will be arrested and their properties will be seized to district them among the victims' families.
The Chief Minister announced financial assistane of Rs 20 lakh each to the deceased's families in addition to Rs two lakh announced by Government of India. He said the Government will provide free treatment to those injured in the blast and take care of education of children of the victims. He said as per primary reports the fire cracker manufacturing unit failed to take precautions and running the unit violating rules.
News Posted: 28 February, 2026
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