Kerala government declares Mundathicode blast a state-specific disaster; relief, probe and medical aid announced
April 22, 2026: The Kerala government has declared the deadly fireworks unit blast at Mundathicode in Thrissur a state-specific disaster, following a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Revenue Minister K Rajan said at least 13 people lost their lives in the explosion, and financial assistance of ₹14 lakh will be provided to the families of each victim. The relief includes ₹4 lakh from the SDRF and ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
The Cabinet has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, appointing Justice C N Ramachandran Nair to lead a single-member commission. Authorities have been directed to ensure comprehensive support for the injured, including full medical coverage for six months in both government and private hospitals, with additional aid from relief funds if treatment extends further. Search and rescue efforts continue with the deployment of cadaver dogs, while officials work to assess damage to nearby homes and agricultural land.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has cast a shadow over the ongoing Thrissur Pooram celebrations. A key meeting involving temple authorities and district officials is scheduled to decide the way forward for the festival, which began with the traditional ‘kodiyettam’ and is set to culminate on April 26. The government has assured that safety and public interest will guide all decisions amid the ongoing crisis.