Major Archbishop mourns deadly Kerala factory explosion

KOCHI, Kerala (Indian Catholic News)  — The head of the Syro Malabar Church expressed deep sorrow over a deadly explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Kerala’s Thrissur district, offering condolences to grieving families and calling for stronger safety vigilance.

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil of Ernakulam-Angamaly said the church was mourning the loss of lives in the accident at Muthikkode.

“The tragic accident that occurred unexpectedly has caused irreparable pain to many families,” he said in a statement issued April 22 by the public relations office of the Syro Malabar Church in Kochi.

At least 13 people were killed in a fireworks factory explosion in India on April 21 during preparations for a Hindu temple festival. The blast caused extensive damage to nearby homes and triggered secondary explosions that hampered rescue operations, according to the BBC.

The archbishop said such incidents occurring during seasons of celebration were “extremely unfortunate” and warned against complacency over safety standards.

“Our joys ending in tears is deeply worrying,” he said, urging the government and relevant authorities to exercise “extreme vigilance” to ensure that such painful incidents are not repeated.

He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the explosion and appealed to the public to support affected families.

The church, he added, assures prayers “for the eternal peace of those who died and for the courage of the grieving families.”