A devastating firecracker explosion in Azheekode, Kannur, claimed the life of a 9-year-old boy, Aman P K, while he was playing football with friends. The accident occurred when children collected gunpowder from unexploded firecrackers and ignited it on the ground, triggering a powerful blast that left the football field strewn with scattered slippers, the football, and debris — a sight that moved everyone who witnessed it.

Aman, the son of Ubaid and Ramseena from Punnakkapara, was playing at the ground opposite Nix Arts and Sports Club. Along with his brother Anfal (12) and friends Badawi (7) and Salmanul Faris (12), he had gathered unexploded crackers from a wedding and election campaign events the previous day. They filled a pop-pop cracker casing with gunpowder and placed it among the red rocks on the field before lighting it.

The explosion was so powerful that it shattered the rocks. Aman sustained severe facial injuries and was rushed to the hospital by retired fire force officer T. Musthafa and local fisherman V. P. Prashanth. However, he could not be saved. His brother Anfal, Badawi, and Salmanul Faris were also injured and admitted to a hospital in Kannur.

CCTV footage from the vicinity captured the children handling the gunpowder and the smoke rising after the blast. Forensic teams visited the scene. MLA K. V. Sumesh and Block Panchayat President P. Prashanthan also visited. Aman was a student of Vayipparambu West UP School. His funeral was held at 12 PM at Van Kulathuvayal Juma Masjid.

The incident has left the entire community in mourning, highlighting the dangers of children accessing firecracker remnants.