Sivakasi Fire Accident: Nine people have been killed and 10 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks-manufacturing unit near Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi.
According to a report in ANI, eight people have died in the explosion that took place at a firecracker manufacturing unit near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district. The deceased included five women and three men.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed condolences over the incident and directed the district authorities to provide appropriate medical care to the injured and save lives.
According to a PTI report, seven rooms where the firecrackers were stocked were completely gutted. Visuals showed Police and fire service personnel continuing their efforts to douse the fire. They also rushed the injured to the government hospital in Sivakasi.
A senior police official said the cause of the fire was being ascertained and added that the unit is a licenced one.
The state government will extend relief to the affected families after obtaining due consent from the Election Commission, as the Model Code of Conduct is in force till June 4, CM Stalin said.
He said 10 others have also been injured and they required medical attention.
President, Vice President Express Grief
President Droupadi Murmu also reacted to the incident saying she was saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to the explosion at the firecracker factory near Sivakasi. "I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured," she said in a post on social media platform X.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also expressed pain over the loss of lives in the tragic fire accident and offered his condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the recovery of the injured.
Stating that he was deeply pained by the loss of precious lives in the tragic fire accident, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi said in a post on X: My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.