Explosion at Andhra Pradesh Firecracker Unit Kills Dozens, Injures Several

A powerful explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vetlapalem village, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, on February 28, killed between 7 and 20 people, with several others critically injured. About 20 workers were present during the blast, which scattered bodies into nearby paddy fields. Rescue operations are ongoing, with injured treated at Kakinada Government General Hospital. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and other officials expressed grief and directed immediate assistance and investigations into the cause.