Tamil Nadu: 3 Killed, 8 Injured In 2 Separate Explosions At Fireworks Units In Virudhunagar

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has announced Rs 3 lakh ex gratia to the deceased families

Explosion at Virudhunagar fireworks unit.

Source : ANI

Three persons were killed and eight others injured in two separate incidents of explosions at firecracker factories in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district.

"An explosion happened at a chemical factory on Thursday morning during chemical mixing, where a 50-year-old died, while two others died in other fireworks manufacturing unit explosion incident," Virudhunagar District Collector, J Meghanath Reddy told ABP Live.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has on Thursday announced Rs 3 lakh ex gratia to the deceased families. Soon after the incident, the fire and rescue services reached the spot. Further details are awaited.

Tamil Nadu | An explosion took place at a firecracker manufacturing factory in Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district: Meghanatha Reddy, District Collector, Virudhunagar pic.twitter.com/FLd6FGJpMN

— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023

In one incident, the deceased was identified as Ravi, 60, while the injured worker is Jayaraj, 60. The fireworks factory owned by Krishnamoorthy at Sengamalapatti has more than 40 sheds and 100 workers working in these sheds.

Sivakasi East police which is investigating the case said that a blast occurred in the shed where Jayaraj and Ravi were working and this led to its roof collapsing. Ravi died after being crushed under the debris and Jayaraj suffered serious injuries.

Jayaraj is admitted to Sivakasi Government Hospital for further treatment. Police said that investigations have commenced regarding the safety measures adopted in the sheds.

Sivakasi in Virudhunagar is the fireworks capital of the state. Many youths who drop out of school finally end up here as workers. There have been several incidents of fireworks blasts in these areas. However, the functioning of these units continues unabated.

(With IANS inputs)