An explosion at a cracker factory near Virudhunagar on Saturday killed 18 workers and injured several others, officials said. The injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals, and some are reported to be in a critical condition.
The incident occurred at the Vanaja fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti. Reports said the factory is owned by Muthumanickam, a former panchayat president of Govindhanallur, and was operating with required permissions.
More than 30 workers were on duty when the blast occurred, damaging four rooms in the facility. Fire and rescue personnel reached the spot, brought the fire under control and shifted the injured to hospitals.
Teams from Sattur, Virudhunagar and Sivakasi fire stations joined the rescue operation. Police said a preliminary inquiry indicates friction during fireworks manufacturing may have triggered the explosion.
District Superintendent of Police Srinatha inspected the site. Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed condolences and said Ministers K K S S R Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu have been asked to rush to the spot, while the district collector has been instructed to coordinate all necessary assistance.
