Hyderabad, March 1 -- Twenty people were killed and 11 others sustained injuries on Saturday in an explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district, officials aware of the matter said, adding that four senior officials were suspended for negligence. According to officials, the blast occurred around 2.10 pm at Surya Sri Fireworks, located along the Godavari canal in Vetlapalem village of Samalkot mandal. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who rushed to the village after the blast, confirmed 20 deaths in the incident. Those injured are admitted to the Kakinada government hospital in critical condition. "Two out of 11 injured are reported to be out of danger," he said. The chief minister said 12 of the victims belonged to the Scheduled Castes community and nine were women. "They were daily wage workers. This tragedy has devastated their families," he said. Naidu announced a compensation of Rs.20 lakh for each family of the deceased, besides financial assistance for the severely injured including full cost of treatment, free residential school education for the children of the deceased and construction of houses for the affected families. "We cannot bring back the deceased, but we will stand by their families in every possible way," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep anguish over the incident and announced ex gratia of Rs.2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to those injured in the blast. State home minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who also reached the site after the blast, said around 35 people were present in the factory, mixing explosive materials to make firecrackers when the explosion occurred. A preliminary investigation by the Kakinada police suggested that a spark ignited in one of the chemical drums storing explosive material, triggering the explosion. Investigators found that six sheds had been erected in the fields for manufacturing. The unit was reportedly operated by an individual named Adapa Nani. Revenue divisional officer (RDO) Mallibabu stated that while the factory's license was valid until March 31, the owner reportedly absconded immediately after the blast. Holding local authorities accountable for negligence, the CM announced the suspension of four officials - revenue divisional officer (RDO), deputy superintendent of police (DSP), district labour officer and fire officer....