Explosion at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu, 15 feared dead; owner booked

At least 15 people, including one woman, are feared dead and more than 20 injured in a blast Friday at a private fireworks factory at Achankulam village near Sattur in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu.

Local reports said many people are still trapped inside the factory. Three people, including the owner of the factory, have also been booked by cops.

Fire personnel at the blast site.

The ‘Sree Maariyamman fireworks’ factory which belongs to one Santhanamari had been manufacturing firecrackers for a couple of years. As per local reports, firecrackers that were stored in close to six rooms at the factory caught fire one after another leading to a huge blast.

Police told indianexpress.com that the incident happened around 1:30 PM and that those injured have been rushed to several nearby hospitals for treatment. Police also said that they are probing the cause of the blast.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Madurai range) S Rajendran told local Tamil news channels that at least 15 people have died in the incident.

Visual from the blast site.

Offering condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts are with the bereaved families. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each has been approved from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a fire in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 12, 2021

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami also announced an ex gratia of three lakh rupees each to the kin of deceased and one lakh to those injured in the accident.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to provide immediate rescue, support, and relief.

Heartfelt condolences to the victims of the firecracker factory fire in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
It’s heart wrenching to think of those still trapped inside.

I appeal to the state government to provide immediate rescue, support & relief.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 12, 2021

“Heartfelt condolences to the victims of the firecracker factory fire in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. It’s heart-wrenching to think of those still trapped inside,” he wrote on Twitter.

District Collector, Virudhunagar, R Kannan and Superintendent of Police Perumal also inspected the spot. The District Revenue Officer said that the license of the factory will be suspended.