23 killed in firecracker factory blast, several injured in India’s Tamil Nadu

The death toll increased to 23 in a fatal accident at a firecracker manufacturing unit in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, officials confirmed on Sunday.

Speaking to ANI, District Collector NO Sukhaputra said that a second blast during rescue operations injured 13 personnel, adding that of the 23 dead, 19 bodies have been identified, 16 women and 3 men. Six injured victims remain in the ICU.

District Collector of Virudhunagar said, "There have been 23 deaths so far in that incident. Of the 23 deaths, 19 bodies have been identified; 16 of them are women, and 3 are men. Six injured are in the ICU."

"While we were carrying out the rescue operation, a second blast occurred," Sukhaputra said. "As a result, approximately 13 people, including the police, our fire and rescue team, revenue team, and volunteers who were involved in the rescue work, are hospitalised."

Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said he has requested his ministers, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu, to rush to the scene immediately to expedite and monitor the rescue operations.

“The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” wrote Stalin on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths in the accident. They called the mishap "deeply distressing" and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The blast occurred when about 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing-related processes at the firecracker unit, reported news agency PTI. The employees said that portions of the building also collapsed under the impact of the explosion. More victims are feared to be trapped under the debris.

Fire and rescue services personnel rushed from even the nearby towns of Sivakasi, Sattur and Virudhunagar, to the site and brought the blaze under control after over an hour.

Virudhunagar is a major hub for the manufacturing of firecrackers and has witnessed several fire mishaps in the last few years.

Police have registered a case and launched a probe to determine what triggered the explosion and if the safety protocols were followed by the factory management.