Tamil Nadu Blast: At least 18 people were charred to death, and six others sustained grievous injuries following a massive explosion at a private firecracker manufacturing unit near on Sunday. The explosion occurred at the 'Vanaja' fireworks factory, owned by one Muthumanickam, in Kattanarpatti near here. The place is located within the Vachakarapatti police station limits.

According to police officials and fire rescue officials, four of the six injured are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at the Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives, he wrote on X,"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."

The Chief Minister said he has directed senior ministers to reach the site immediately. “I have requested the esteemed Ministers K.K.S.S.R. 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," he added.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the unit reportedly holds a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur. Over 100 labourers were reportedly engaged in work in the complex.

The blast occurred when about 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing related processes at the firecrackers unit at Kattanarpatti near here, they said adding portions of the building too collapsed under the impact.

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.



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