23 dead, six injured in blast at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar

At least 23 people were killed and six others injured in a powerful explosion at a private firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti village in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (April 19), police said. The explosion occurred at the 'Vanaja' fireworks factory owned by one Muthumanickam, in Kattanarpatti. The place is located within the Vachakarapatti police station limits.

According to police and fire rescue officials, four of the six injured are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital. Of the six injured, three are women who have sustained around 60 per cent burn injuries, an official said.

What did the initial probe reveal? 

Preliminary investigations indicate that the unit reportedly holds a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur. More than 100 workers were said to be present in the premises at the time of the incident.

The explosion is believed to have originated in the front veranda, where labourers were allegedly handling raw materials and carrying out finishing work on firecrackers.

The impact of the blast was extremely severe, reducing at least three rooms to rubble and completely flattening several nearby structures.  

Further details are awaited as the search and rescue operation continues.

Rescue operations were significantly hampered as crackers continued to burst long after the initial explosion. There are fears that more workers may be trapped under the debris.

This incident marks the deadliest industrial accident in the region this year. It comes just days after a similar blast in the Vembakottai area of the same district that claimed four lives.

PM Modi, CM Stalin express condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Official X account of Office of the Prime Minister, "The mishap in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu is deeply distressing. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest: PM."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the firecracker factory blast. In a post on X, Stalin said he has asked ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the scene immediately to expedite and monitor the rescue operations and to offer solace to the affected families.

"The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," he said. The CM also contacted the District Collector and instructed them to coordinate all necessary assistance.

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