Experts’ Team Visits Kakinada for Cracker Blast Probe

Kakinada: A two-member team of the National Disaster Management Authority conducted an investigation into the massive explosion that took place at the Sri Surya fireworks manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem in Samalkota mandal in Kakinada district on April 6 and 7.

As part of the visit, the team, comprising senior scientists Vinod Kumar of NDMA and Hemant Bharwani of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, held a meeting with officials of the disaster management wing here at the collection on Monday.

Experts will analyze the reasons that led to the fireworks tragedy and recommend preventive measures to the central and state governments for future safety. Questions were asked about the permits granted for the unit, planned and surprise inspections by government departments there, disaster prevention measures implemented in the unit and the response levels of authorities after the fire.

Experts are waiting for a report from the environmental directorate regarding the air, water and soil samples taken from the environment immediately after the incident. They asked the Ministry of Health for autopsy and forensic reports regarding 28 deaths.

The NDMA team, accompanied by district officials, visited the site and made comprehensive inspections.