Tamil Nadu: Explosion at firecracker factory in Virudhunagar kills 21, six critically injured, several workers feared trapped
An explosion occurred at a firecracker factory in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. According to the police, 21 people have died in the accident so far.
At the time of the incident, 30 workers were on duty at the factory. Six people have sustained critical injuries; among them are three women who have suffered burns covering approximately 60 percent of their bodies.
The toll could rise as eye witnesses say that many might have been trapped in the debris. Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion occurred due to friction of raw materials during the manufacture of firecrackers.
Firefighting and rescue teams have been working for several hours to extinguish the blaze and clear the rubble. Firecrackers continued to explode even after the initial blast, which hampered rescue operations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion took place in the front section of the factory, where workers were handling raw materials.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin posted on X: "I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed ministers to proceed to the accident site immediately. Furthermore, I have spoken with the District Collector and issued instructions to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided."