Eleven people, including nine women, died as explosions ripped through two separate firecracker units in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
According to reports, at least 10 charred bodies were recovered from the site of explosion at Kanishkar Fireworks in M Pudupatti while a blast at Arya Fireworks Factory in Kichanayakkanpatti near Sivakasi killed one person.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for the families of the victims.
“It has been suspected that the explosion (in M Pudupatti) occurred during the sample testing of crackers, which weren’t properly dried due to the climatic condition for the last few days,”officials told the New Indian Express.
Four fire engines from Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Watrap and Srivilliputhur have reached M Pudupatti to douse the fire. Virudhunagar SP Srinivasa Perumal and District Fire Officer Vivekanandan have also reached the spot.
Two workers, who have sustained 20-25 per cent burn injuries, have been admitted to the Government Hospital in Srivilliputhur.
A 60-year-old man lost his lives in the blast at Arya Fireworks Factory. The deceased has been identified as P. Vembu, a resident of Nathikudi.
Reports said police have arrested the unit's foreman, Gurumoorthy and are searching for its owner Muthuvijyan.
