At least 13 people lost their lives and over 40 were injured in a blast at a fireworks manufacturing and storage facility for Kerala’s famous Thrissur Pooram festival in Mundathikkodu, Thalappilly taluk, on Tuesday afternoon. The explosion happened around 3:30 pm at a unit where firecrackers were being prepared for the event. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, five bodies were recovered, along with unidentified remains of three others. District officials confirmed that the unit was assembling fireworks for Thiruvambady Devaswom, one of the two main organisers of the celebrated festival.