Fire and rescue teams rushed to the spot and battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control.
Published Jul 01, 2025 | 10:42 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2025 | 2:31 PM
Police escorting injured workers out of the fireworks unit in Sivakasi.
Synopsis: At least six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a major blast occurred at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Chinnakamanpatti near Sivakasi.
At least six people lost their lives after a major blast occurred at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Chinnakamanpatti near Sivakasi in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, 1 July.
Workers were engaged in their routine duties at Gokulesh Fireworks Factory when a sudden and powerful blast ripped through the unit, flattening five rooms on the premises.
Fire and rescue teams rushed to the spot and battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control. Several people sustained serious injuries and have been admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The deceased have been identified as: Mahalingam (55) from Meenampatti in Sivakasi Taluk, Sellapandian from Anuppankulam, Lakshmi from Central Sena, Ramamoorthy (38) from O Kovilpatti in Virudhunagar Taluk, Ramajeyam (27) from Servaikkaranpatti and Vairamani (32) from Soolakkarai
Five others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at Sivakasi and Madurai Government Hospitals. The injured are: Lingusamy (45), Manikandan (40), Karuppasamy (27), Murugalakshmi (48) — all admitted at Sivakasi GH — and Azhaguraja (28) — admitted at Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital.
Following the mishap, Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep shock and sorrow. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences and announced financial aid from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund: ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh each for those seriously injured and hospitalised and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries and receiving treatment.
The foreman of the factory has been arrested in connection with the incident following preliminary investigations. Authorities are continuing their probe into the cause of the explosion and potential safety violations at the unit.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose,)
