At least five people were killed and more than 40 were injured in a blast at a fireworks storage facility in Mundathikkodu, Thrissur, on Tuesday afternoon. Firecrackers were being prepared at the unit for the Thrissur Pooram festival.

Sources said the unit was assembling fireworks for Thiruvambady Devaswom, one of the two main groups organising the renowned festival. Most of the injured are workers from the facility. Fire officials and ambulance teams from nearby areas quickly responded, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, including the Thrissur Medical College Hospital.

“We received an alert around 3.35 pm about the blast. The firecracker preparation unit was situated in a paddy field that had dried after the harvest, and the intense summer heat may have worsened the incident,” said an official from the Wadakkanchery Fire Station. “Fire units from Wadakkanchery, Kunnamkulam, and Thrissur coordinated the response alongside the local police,” he added.

Rescue officials are struggling to reach the site as the blast continues. "We have not yet reached the exact location of the firecracker unit. The quantity of materials stored is unclear, and further explosions are possible," said an official from the Kunnamkulam Fire Station. The official added that body parts were scattered across the paddy field, and teams are working to recover them. The presence of similar storage facilities nearby has further increased the risk to the rescue operation.

Health Minister Veena George has ordered that arrangements be made at Thrissur General Hospital in addition to Thrissur Medical College and has instructed nearby hospitals to remain prepared to handle the situation.

The Thrissur Pooram celebrations began on Monday with the official flag-hoisting ceremonies at Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples, as well as at eight other participating temples.