An explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, near Thrissur in the southern Indian state of Kerala, has killed at least nine people, with authorities still working to identify four additional victims among the 13 total fatalities. Thirteen people remain hospitalised, ten of them in intensive care, including licence-holder Mundathikode Satheesh who is on ventilator support. Union Minister Suresh Gopi visited the blast site on Wednesday as forensic teams and cadaver dogs combed the area, with a central government investigation team also expected to probe the incident; officials are additionally weighing whether to hold the upcoming Thrissur Pooram (one of Kerala's most celebrated temple festivals, renowned for its elaborate fireworks displays) without pyrotechnics in the wake of the disaster.