23 killed in Tamil Nadu firecracker factory explosion
Second blast during rescue injures several, four critical
Chennai: At least 23 workers, including 16 women, were killed in a powerful explosion at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar district, police officials said.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks factory near Kattanarpatti village, where over 100 labourers were reportedly present at the time of the incident. Authorities confirmed that rescue teams recovered 23 bodies from the debris, while several others sustained injuries.
District Collector N O Sukhapatra stated that six injured persons were admitted to the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital, with four in critical condition. He added that 19 of the deceased have been identified so far.
Officials said a second explosion occurred during ongoing rescue operations, causing further injuries and complicating relief efforts.
According to police, the explosion took place when workers were mixing chemicals inside the unit. The factory reportedly holds a valid license issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. The intensity of the blast reduced at least three rooms to rubble and damaged nearby structures.
Such incidents frequently occur in India’s firecracker and even industrial sectors, often due to inadequate safety measures, lack of proper training and skills among workers, poor enforcement of regulations, and the handling of highly combustible materials in unsafe conditions, raising serious concerns about workplace safety standards.
