At least 14 people died, and several others injured in four explosions in Tamil Nadu firecracker units since 1 March.
Around 10 am, a huge explosion occurred in the firecracker godown destroying over three houses adjacent to the godown. (Screengrab)
Four members of a family were among at least nine people killed when a blast ripped through a firecracker godown at Palayapettai town in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district on Saturday, 29 July. Eleven others were injured in the explosion.
The police said the explosion occurred at a godown a man, identified as Ravi, had taken on lease to store firecrackers meant for sale. Three nearby houses, and as many business establishments, including a restaurant, were destroyed in the impact of the blast.
Ravi, his wife Jayashree, and their children Rithika and Rithesh were killed in the blast. Their house was close to the godown. Restaurant owner Rajeshwari, neighbours Ibrahim and Imran, too, were killed. One body has not been identified.
Fire and Rescue Service, police, and district disaster management personnel doused the fire that engulfed the godown, sifted through the debris, and pulled out 12 injured people. They were shifted to the Krishnagiri Government Hospital.
District Collector KM Sarayu and Superintendent of Police Saroj Kumar Thakur supervised the search and rescue operations.
Sarayu said that the reason for the explosion could be ascertained only after a detailed investigation. She also said that the rescue operations were underway and the total number of people affected would be known only after the rescue operations were over.
Condoling the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He expressed sorrow over the tragedy.
Deeply saddened by the tragic mishap at a cracker factory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, resulting in the loss of precious lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this extremely difficult time. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 29, 2023
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also announced a solatium of ₹3 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased people and ₹1 lakh for those undergoing treatment.
Further, the chief minister instructed the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R Sakkarapani to head to Krishnagiri and coordinate the rescue operation.
Governor RN Ravi also offered his condolence to the deceased family.
Deeply saddened by the loss of valuable lives in the mishap at the firecracker godown in Boganapalli, Krishnagiri District. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.- Governor Ravi
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) July 29, 2023
Incidentally, the blast at Krishnagiri was the fourth since 1 March. On 22 March, nine people were killed and at least 17 others sustained burns in a series of explosions at a firecracker-manufacturing unit in the Kancheepuram district.
Two women were killed and a man was injured in a blast at a firecracker unit at Nagadasampatti village in the Dharmapuri district on 16 March.
While the deceased people were identified as K Muniammal (65) and B Palaniammal (50), P Sivalingam (47) suffered grievous injuries and was admitted to Dharmapuri district hospital.
Three people, including a woman, were charred to death and six others suffered grievous burns after explosives went off at a firecracker-manufacturing unit at S Gollapatti village in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district on 1 June.
Earlier, on 31 December 2022, four people were killed and five others injured when firecrackers stocked in a house at Moganur Metutheru in the Namakkal district exploded.
Houseowner Thillai Kumar, his wife Priya, his mother Selvi, and a woman next door were killed in the incident. Kumar’s five-year-old daughter suffered injuries in the blast.
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