Vijayawada, February 28: A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in Vetla Palem village, Samalkota Mandal, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, has left at least 20 people dead, with 6 critically injured.

The blast occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Surya Sri Fireworks Unit, which is situated in agricultural fields between Vetla Palem and G Medapadu. At the time of the explosion, approximately 35 workers were at the facility.

The death toll is expected to rise, as emergency personnel continue to battle the intense flames. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it scattered body parts across nearby fields, making identification of the victims difficult. Several nearby homes were also damaged in the blast.

Most of the workers at the fireworks unit were women. This tragic incident is not the first of its kind in the region, which is known for its numerous firecracker factories. Previous explosions in the village have also resulted in fatalities, further highlighting the dangers associated with the industry.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha to immediately travel to the site to oversee the rescue and relief operations.