18 Killed in Firecracker Factory Blast Near Virudhunagar

At least 18 people lost their lives and six others were injured in a massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti, near Virudhunagar, on Sunday. The incident has left the region in shock.

The blast occurred at the Vanaja Firecracker Factory, owned by Muthu Manickam, which was reportedly operating with a valid licence from the Revenue Divisional Officer. More than 30 workers were inside the unit at the time, engaged in routine production work.

Initial reports suggest that friction during the manufacturing process may have triggered the explosion, leading to the sudden ignition of highly flammable materials. The impact was severe, destroying at least four rooms of the factory, and the sound of the blast was heard several kilometres away.

Fire and rescue teams from nearby areas, including Sivakasi and Sattur, rushed to the spot soon after the incident. It took over an hour to bring the fire under control, after which rescue operations began inside the damaged premises.

Rescue efforts were challenging, as several workers were trapped under debris. While initial reports put the death toll at 14, it later rose to 18 as more bodies were recovered during the search.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment.

Police officials, including Superintendent of Police Sreenatha, visited the site and are overseeing the investigation. A case has been registered to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether safety protocols were properly followed.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns about safety standards in firecracker units in the Virudhunagar region, which is known for its large number of such factories. Authorities are expected to review compliance and safety measures in the aftermath of the incident.

With inputs from IANS