Tamil Nadu: Explosion at a Firecracker Unit Kills at Least 23; PM Modi Expresses Grief
Edited By WION Video Desk
Published: Apr 20, 2026, 18:45 IST | Updated: Apr 20, 2026, 18:45 IST
In one of the deadliest accidents at a fireworks factory in Tamil Nadu in recent times, 23 workers were killed, and eight others were injured in an explosion at Vanaja Fireworks Unit in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar on Sunday (April 19, 2026). A second explosion at the unit injured 17, including six policemen and four firemen. Rescuers and journalists, including this correspondent and his photographer colleague, who had gathered at the spot narrowly escaped unhurt.
trending videos
)
US-Iran War: Trump ready to bomb Tehran, deploys B-1 bomber, envoys flee city
)
VIDEO | Rape, religious conversion, blackmail: Wife of Air Force official makes serious allegations on former classmate
)
New UNESCO wonders worldwide, Mayan legends & a bike chef in Denmark
)
Greece's Ancient Sites Under Climate Strain; 19 Sites at Urgent Climate Risk
)
US Blocks Strait of Hormuz | Will the US-Iran War End?
)
Art meets nature in Australia
)
120 Bahadur, Border, Uri: The Surgical Strike: The Changing Face of Indian War Films
)
Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns, CJP Calls Off Protest | Yemen Crisis | France Fires | Middle East Crisis
)
CJP ends 37-day Jantar Mantar protest after government accepts all demands | Neet Protest
)
European-Led NATO in Planning if Trump Pulls Out
)
UK Elections: Opinion Polls Predict Debacle for Labour in Upcoming UK Elections
)
Central Bank Policy Will Depend on Oil Price
)
Chaos at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as Protest Turns Violent; ACP Injured in Fresh Clash with Police
)
Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as CJP Calls Off Protest | Opposition Demands Education Reforms
)
WION Health Pulse: India's pharma power | Global healthcare lifeline
)
Dharmendra Pradhan resignation: Expert explains BJP's next move & CJP protest impact
)
Balochistan independence movement grows | Activist claims Pak has lost control over 85% territory
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Russia unleashes 28000 tonne nuclear giant ship
)
Jantar Mantar protest ends in victory as students demand sweeping education system reforms
)
US-Iran war | Trump: Iran is taking negotiations more seriously than before
)
US debates AI kill switch | Lawmakers fear Artificial Intelligence could escape human control
)
Canada-US Trade War Escalates As Gordie Howe Bridge Opens Without US Officials
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin admits Ukrainian strikes have triggered fuel shortage in Russia
)
Hungary PM-Elect Vows State Media Overhaul
)
Trump on Venezuela Elections | Says country 'not ready yet' | US News
)
Sonam Wangchuk's powerful message after protest victory | Democracy, peace & education reforms
)
How West Asia Conflict Affects India
)
China: Bitchat Taken Down Over Regulatory Orders | Still Available Outside China
)
Global Finance Leaders to Meet Amid War Shock
)
Europe Wildfire Crisis | France and Spain Battle massive blazes amid extreme heat
)
Cauvery Water Dispute: CM Vijay to hold crucial talks with Karnataka over Mekedatu Dam
)
India: Rameshbabu Vaishali Secures 2026 Women’s Candidates Victory
#Metoo haunts Malayalam cinema: Actor Mohanlal breaks silence on sex scandal
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Russia activates nuclear beast Admiral Nakhimov amid war
)
Sudan Civil War: UN Warns of Regional Spillover, 700 Killed in Drone Strikes
)
Europe Loses LNG Bidding War to Asia | World Business Watch
)
Australia Refinery Fire: Refinery Pumps Out About 10% of Australia's Fuel
)
Wangchuk hails 'Victory of Democracy' as CJP ends historic Jantar Mantar protest