More than 20 people have been killed in a devastating explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, with fears the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
The blast occurred on Sunday afternoon at a unit in Kattanarpatti, where workers were reportedly engaged in routine manufacturing processes. Local authorities believe friction during the mixing of chemicals may have triggered the explosion.
The impact was severe, destroying multiple rooms of the factory and sending shockwaves that were reportedly heard up to 10 kilometres away. Several workers are feared to have been trapped under debris as fire and rescue teams rushed to the scene.
It is reported in local media that emergency crews from nearby areas, including Sivakasi and Sattur, battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply distressing” and extended condolences to the victims’ families, wishing a speedy recovery for those injured.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin also expressed grief, calling the tragedy “immensely sorrowful”. He said senior ministers had been directed to rush to the site to oversee rescue operations and ensure assistance for affected families.
Preliminary reports indicate that the unit may have been operating in violation of safety norms. Officials said a higher-than-permitted number of workers were present near the chemical mixing area at the time of the blast, raising concerns about compliance with licensing regulations.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether negligence or safety breaches contributed to the disaster.
The incident is among the deadliest industrial accidents in the region in recent years, once again highlighting ongoing concerns around safety standards in India’s fireworks industry, particularly in the Virudhunagar-Sivakasi belt, which is a major hub for firecracker production.
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