Several others were injured in the explosion and have been rushed to the hospital.
20 killed in firecracker factory blast in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar
An explosion at a firecracker unit in Virudhunagar district has left at least 20 dead, with several others hospitalised.
At least 20 people have died in a blast at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu on Sunday (April 19). Several others were injured in the explosion and have been rushed to the hospital.
Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred at the Vanaja firecracker factory owned by Muthumanickam.
Blast during work, rescue underway
The blast occurred when about 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing-related processes at the firecrackers unit at Kattanarpatti near here, they said, adding portions of the building also collapsed under the impact.
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Six people have been taken to a nearby hospital, while officials said rescue operations are ongoing at the site.
Cause and extent of damage
The accident is believed to have been caused by friction during the manufacture of firecrackers, which triggered the explosion.
SP Shreenatha is currently inspecting the accident site. Four rooms in the firecracker factory have been destroyed. As rescue operations continue, there are fears that the number of fatalities may increase further.
CM sends minister to the spot
People in the area said that the sound of the blast was heard up to a distance of 10 kilometres.
Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that he has asked Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the spot to oversee the search and rescue operation.
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"The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," stated Stalin in a post on X.
"I have requested the esteemed Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the scene immediately to expedite and monitor the rescue operations and to offer solace to the affected families. Upon learning of this, I have contacted the District Collector and instructed them to coordinate all necessary assistance," he added.
Earlier blast
A worker died, and five others were injured in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in a village near here on July 6, police said. The blast occurred at a fireworks facility in Keelathayilpatti, where routine production was underway, on January last year.
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Officials suspect friction between chemicals during the process may have triggered the explosion. The deceased, a man aged around 50, was among those working at the unit at the time.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police have arrested the factory foreman in connection with the incident and are continuing their inquiry into the circumstances leading to the blast.