Tamil Nadu: 4 women under 10 killed in explosion at Virudhunagar firework unit | VIDEO
At least nine people were killed in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in the Vembakottai area of Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu News: A massive explosion at a fireworks factory in the Vembakottai area of Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district killed 10 people, including four women, and injured several others on Saturday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin said a sudden explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kundayiruppu village in Vembakottai resulted in the death of 10 people – six men and four women.
According to police, seven persons were killed on the spot while three others succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident while being rushed to hospital.
According to reports, the blast was so violent that the factory and four other buildings were reduced to rubble.
Images shared on social media showed the structures reduced to rubble as locals and officials searched for survivors.
#WATCH | An explosion takes place at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu; details awaited pic.twitter.com/cALcg6A9Ow
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2024
A senior police official said a team of fire and rescue services and police reached the spot after the incident was reported and rushed the injured to a local medical facility where they are undergoing treatment.
The firecracker unit, located in the Vembakottai area of the city, belonged to a person identified as Vijay, he said, adding that preliminary investigations suggest that the blast was caused by something going wrong in the chemical mixing room where concoctions are made prepared for making fireworks. .
Ordered probe
The accident happened on Saturday around 12.30 pm in the chemical mixing room of the fireworks factory in the village.
“Initially, 9 persons died due to the explosion and 3 who were injured were rushed to Sivakasi Government Hospital for treatment,” said Jayaseelan, Chief District Collector of Virudhunagar.
A preliminary investigation found that there was overcrowding in the chemical mixing room and that the explosion could have been caused when the chemical was being handled, he said. The factory owner had a permit.
When asked how the explosion took place, the Collector said: “It could be due to human error. We have ordered a thorough investigation by an interdepartmental team.”
CM Stalin announces ex-gratia
Meanwhile, CM Stalin instructed two state ministers to coordinate the rescue and relief activities. According to an official press release, Stalin asked KKSSR Ramachandran and Labor Minister CV Ganesan to immediately reach the spot and ensure rescue and relief activities.
The Chief Minister expressed his concern over the accident and extended his heartfelt condolences and condolences to the bereaved families.
He has ordered a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each for the relatives of the deceased and Rs one lakh for the seriously injured.
Four killed in firecracker explosion in UP
In a similar incident, four people were killed in a firecracker explosion during a program organized by the tourism department in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh earlier this week.
Chitrakoot District Magistrate (DM) Abhishek Anand said the incident took place on Wednesday during the two-day Bundelkhand Gaurav Mahotsav organized by the tourism department at the Chitrakoot Inter College premises.
The fireworks event was scheduled for Wednesday evening and the crackers were kept behind a stage, Anand said.
But around 3.15pm, the fireworks suddenly exploded and two people working nearby died on the spot and two others suffered serious burns, he added.
The DM said the deceased and injured persons are yet to be identified. Both the injured have been sent to a hospital in nearby Prayagraj district.
“The accident is being thoroughly investigated. Action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” the DM said.
(With PTI inputs)