Thrissur (Kerala) | Businessman T S Kalyanaraman, Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers, on Thursday announced that Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the families of all those who died in the blast at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathicode here two days ago.

Kalyanaraman told reporters that not only the people of Thrissur, but everyone across the state and the country, is saddened by the incident and shares the grief of the victims' families.

"I, my family, Kalyan Jewellers, and all its staff are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to the bereaved families. We are offering Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who died in the incident.

"Thiruvambady Devaswom secretary Gireesh will coordinate the disbursal process. The amount will be disbursed as quickly as possible," he said.

The explosion occurred at around 3.30 pm on Tuesday at a fireworks unit engaged in cracker preparation for the Thiruvambady Devaswom ahead of the upcoming Thrissur Pooram on April 26.

Firecrackers were being manufactured in multiple temporary sheds located in an isolated area amid paddy fields, and around 40 people were suspected to have been present at the site.

Taking note of the scale of the tragedy, the Kerala government on Wednesday declared the blast a "state-specific disaster"-a classification that enables the administration to provide immediate relief and aid-and announced financial assistance of Rs 14 lakh to the dependents of those who died in the incident.