Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3 The judicial commission that investigated the fireworks tragedy in Thrissur district earlier this year has found that around 7,000 kg of explosives were stored at the unit, against the permitted quantity of just 15 kg, official sources said here on Tuesday.
It also identified the use of potassium chlorate, a banned explosive substance, as the cause of the blast at Mundathikode, near Thrissur.
The commission, headed by retired Justice N Ramachandran Nair, said friction between chemicals due to the hot weather had triggered a fire, which eventually led to the explosion.
The commission submitted its report to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at his chamber earlier this day.
The explosion occurred on April 21, 2026, at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, where explosives were being prepared for the Thiruvambady faction ahead of the Thrissur Pooram.
At least 16 people were killed, and around 40 others were injured in the incident.
According to the commission, those who had undertaken the fireworks contract stored around 7,000 kg of explosives at the unit, far exceeding the permitted limit of 15 kg.
The report found that potassium chlorate was widely used in the manufacture of the fireworks.
In June, the Kerala government had announced financial assistance of Rs 14 lakh each to the families of those killed in the tragedy.
(PTI News)
