Cracker unit blast toll rises to 12

Palakkad (Ker), Feb 2 (PTI) With three more personssuccumbing to injuries, the toll in the explosion at anunlicensed cracker unit at Thrnaliyil near Shornur town roseto 12 today.

Doctors at the Medical College Hospital at Thrissursaid two seriously injured labourers died this morning.

Another victim had died last list.

Eight bodies were recovered from the blast site lastevening and four were rushed to hospital.

Twelve labourers were engaged in making fire crackersat the unlicensed unit when the blast took place.

The unit, located in an open space close toShornur-Palakkad railway track, has been functioning withoutlicence for the last two years. A train had passed through thearea when the blast occurred.

Palakkad District Collector K V Mohan Kumar said theunit had not renewed its licence after 2008. Though its ownerhad applied for renewal in 2008, it was rejected.

The workers were engaged in making crackers for templefestivals starting in the area from mid-February.

The state Government has ordered a police probe intothe incident.