Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 23 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday called for stringent safety standards to prevent fireworks-related accidents, in the wake of the Mundathikkode explosion that claimed at least 14 lives.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday evening at a fireworks manufacturing unit at Mundathikkode while crackers were being prepared for Thiruvambady Devaswom.
Speaking to reporters here after his visit to the accident site and injured victims at the medical college in Thrissur, he said the government still has the commission report on the Puttingal Temple fireworks disaster, which had recommended several measures, including modernising facilities and imposing strict controls on fireworks manufacturing.
“Unfortunately, none of those recommendations were implemented either by the government or by Devaswoms and organising committees conducting festivals,” he said.
Chennithala alleged that the Mundathikkode site lacked even basic firefighting facilities and scientific systems for the safe manufacturing and handling of explosives.
He stressed that such activities must be carried out using modern, scientific methods, warning that failure to adopt proper systems would inevitably lead to accidents.
“Every time such an incident happens, we discuss it briefly and then forget. This cannot continue,” he said.
He said that there are clear safety norms already in place for fireworks in places of worship and crowded venues, but they are not being effectively enforced.
Referring to the scale of the tragedy, he said the loss of lives cannot be compensated for and stressed that supporting affected families should be the priority.
Chennithala said the latest tragedy would serve as a wake-up call and that such incidents should not happen again in the state.
He also appreciated several individuals and businesses that have come forward to offer support to the victims’ families. PTI TBA TBA ADB
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