Why Are Fireworks Factories Still So Unsafe in 2025? | 8 Dead in Andhra Blast
When celebration becomes sorrow—who really pays the price?
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] April 13: It was just after lunch in Kailasapatnam village when the air suddenly cracked with a deafening sound. The workers at the fireworks plant had been wrapping up their first shift. In one sharp moment, silence turned to screams. The explosion was so loud that nearby villagers rushed out of their homes, only to see smoke, flames, and people running in panic.
Families Waiting, But Only Tragedy Returned
Inside the factory, most workers were local villagers trying to earn a daily wage. Two women among the eight who died had only recently joined. Their families say they left home in the morning smiling, unaware of the disaster waiting for them. For the injured, every second is now a struggle in the hospital. This was not just an explosion—it was the tearing apart of families and futures.
Past Accidents, No Lessons Learnt
This isn't the first time such a tragedy has happened. Just a few weeks ago in Gujarat, seven lives were lost in a similar blast. Fireworks factories have seen many such disasters across India, but safety rules are often ignored. Most units operate with outdated machines, little supervision, and overworked staff. History is repeating itself, but the cost is always the lives of the poor.
Leaders Visit, But Will Change Follow?
As soon as the news spread, leaders like CM Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy offered their condolences. They promised medical help and justice. But people in the area say they have heard such promises before. During festivals, crackers bring happiness, but in villages like Kotavuratla, they bring tears. The real question is—who ensures that safety isn’t treated like a formality?
The Real Fire Is in the System
The fire was put out by firefighters, but the fire inside people’s hearts still burns. Why are inspections rare? Why do permits go unchecked? Why does it take a loss of life to get noticed? People in Anakapalli are now scared to let their loved ones work in such places. Festivals can wait, but lives once lost cannot be brought back. Is profit worth more than people?
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