The death toll in the explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district has risen to 23, officials confirmed, making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region in recent years.
District Collector N.O. Sukhaputra told news agency ANI that 19 of the 23 bodies had been identified so far — 16 women and three men. Six injured workers remain in intensive care. The blast ripped through the Vanaja firecracker factory at Kattanarpatti on Sunday, when about 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing processes, according to police.
Second blast during rescue
In a grim twist, a second explosion occurred while rescue teams were working through the debris, injuring around 13 personnel. "While we were carrying out the rescue operation, a second blast occurred," the district collector said. "As a result, approximately 13 people, including the police, our fire and rescue team, revenue team, and volunteers who were involved in the rescue work, are hospitalised."
Fire and rescue services personnel rushed in from Sivakasi, Sattur and Virudhunagar and brought the blaze under control after more than an hour. Portions of the factory building collapsed under the impact, and several victims were trapped under the rubble.
Condolences and probe
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the incident and asked ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the spot to expedite and monitor the rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths, calling the mishap deeply distressing and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Police have registered a case and launched a probe to determine what triggered the explosion and whether the factory management followed required safety protocols. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 17 to 18 before more bodies were recovered from the debris.
Virudhunagar is a major hub for firecracker manufacturing and has witnessed several fire mishaps in the last few years, raising fresh questions about safety enforcement in the industry.
Sources:
- 23 killed in firecracker factory blast, several injured in India's Tamil Nadu
- Severe blast in Tamil Nadu firecracker factory kills 23
District Collector N.O. Sukhaputra told news agency ANI that 19 of the 23 bodies had been identified so far — 16 women and three men. Six injured workers remain in intensive care. The blast ripped through the Vanaja firecracker factory at Kattanarpatti on Sunday, when about 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing processes, according to police.
Second blast during rescue
In a grim twist, a second explosion occurred while rescue teams were working through the debris, injuring around 13 personnel. "While we were carrying out the rescue operation, a second blast occurred," the district collector said. "As a result, approximately 13 people, including the police, our fire and rescue team, revenue team, and volunteers who were involved in the rescue work, are hospitalised."
Fire and rescue services personnel rushed in from Sivakasi, Sattur and Virudhunagar and brought the blaze under control after more than an hour. Portions of the factory building collapsed under the impact, and several victims were trapped under the rubble.
Condolences and probe
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the incident and asked ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the spot to expedite and monitor the rescue operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths, calling the mishap deeply distressing and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Police have registered a case and launched a probe to determine what triggered the explosion and whether the factory management followed required safety protocols. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 17 to 18 before more bodies were recovered from the debris.
Virudhunagar is a major hub for firecracker manufacturing and has witnessed several fire mishaps in the last few years, raising fresh questions about safety enforcement in the industry.
Sources:
- 23 killed in firecracker factory blast, several injured in India's Tamil Nadu
- Severe blast in Tamil Nadu firecracker factory kills 23
