At least 18 people were killed and six others sustained injuries after a powerful explosion ripped through a firecracker manufacturing unit at Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar on Sunday, leaving the state in shock.
The incident took place at the Vanaja Firecracker Factory, owned by Muthu Manickam of Govindanallur, which was reportedly functioning with a valid licence issued by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO).
According to reports, more than 30 workers were inside the unit when the explosion occurred during routine production work. Officials suspect that accidental friction while handling explosive materials may have triggered the blast.
The intensity of the explosion was such that at least four sections of the building were completely flattened. Residents in nearby areas said the sound of the blast was heard from several kilometres away, highlighting its magnitude.
Emergency teams from Sivakasi, Sattur, and Virudhunagar rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the blaze under control, after which rescue operations began amid the severely damaged structure.
Rescue efforts were challenging, as several individuals were trapped under the debris. Teams carried out careful and continuous operations to retrieve bodies from the wreckage. The death toll, initially reported at 14, later rose to 18 as more bodies were recovered.
Those injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment under close medical supervision.
According to the report, Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police Sreenatha visited the site and oversaw both the rescue operations and the ongoing investigation.
Police have registered a case and launched a detailed probe to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to examine whether safety protocols were properly followed at the facility.
The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about safety standards in firecracker manufacturing units in the Virudhunagar region, which houses a large number of such facilities. Authorities are expected to review compliance and strengthen safety measures in the aftermath of the incident.
