Chennai, May 9 (UNI) In a gruesome tragedy, nine workers, including five women were killed and 13 others injured, when a powerful explosion ripped through a private fireworks factory at Sengamalapatti village near Sivakasi in this Southern district of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
Reports received at the police headquarters here confirmed nine deaths and 13 people were injured in the blast.
Among the deceased, four of them, including three women belongs to same family.
Police sources said the fire broke out at Sri Sudarshan Fireworks factory, when the workers were engaged in mixing highly inflammable chemicals meant for making fancy variety crackers.
Series of powerful explosions razed down seven warehouses, where a huge stock of finished crackers and chemicals were stored.
Preliminary investigations revealed that friction while handling the chemicals triggered the fire.
However, the exact reason for the explosion is under investigation.
Fire tenders from Sattur, Vembakottai and Sivakasi rushed to the factory and extinguished the blaze after a couple of hours of battle.
The injured were admitted to the Government hospital at Sivakasi.
Five cases have been booked against three people, including factory owner Sarvana Kumar.
District Collector V.P.Jeyaseelan and Superintendent of Police K.Feroze Khan Abdullah and senior revenue officials rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue operations.
Jeyaseelan said that police are looking into whether the crackers unit was given on sub-lease to other party. If it is found true, severe action will be taken against the owner.
Talking to newsmen, Abdullah said necessary legal action will be taken against the license holder of
the factory S Saravanan (55), foreman and manager of the factory, if the investigations reveals any violation of rules.
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the deaths of workers in the explosion.
“Saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to an explosion at a private firecracker factory near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” tweeted Murmu.
In his post on X, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi said he was “Deeply pained by the loss of precious lives in the tragic fire accident in a crackers factory near Sivakasi of Virudhunagar District.
My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” he added.
Chief Minister M.K.Stalin tweeted that he was saddened by the deaths of eight workers in a blast.
He said that he had instructed the district collector to carry out necessary rescue operations and ensure that proper treatment is provided to the injured. The necessary relief measures would be provided to the families of deceased people after getting permission from the Election Commission as the model code of conduct is in force.
