Nine workers, including five women, were killed in the accident at a fireworks-manufacturing unit near Sengamalapatti.
Firecracker blast. Representational Image. (Creative Commons)
The toll in a blaze at a fireworks-manufacturing unit in Sivakasi on Thursday, 9 May, rose to nine, with two more workers succumbing to burns, police said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who expressed condolences over the incident, directed the district authorities to provide appropriate medical care to the injured and save lives.
Nine workers, including five women, were killed in the accident at a fireworks-manufacturing unit near Sengamalapatti in Sivakasi in the Virudhunagar district. Seven rooms where the firecrackers were stocked were completely gutted, police said.
Police and fire service personnel rushed the injured to the government hospital in Sivakasi. A senior police official said the cause of the fire was being ascertained and added that the unit is a licenced one.
Expressing grief over the deaths, Stalin said that immediately after receiving information about the accident, he directed the district collector to promptly launch a rescue operation.
It was learnt that more than 10 persons were injured and they required medical attention, he said. “I have directed the officials to ensure appropriate life-saving treatment for the injured,” Stalin said in a release in Virudhunagar.
The state government will extend relief to the affected families after obtaining due consent from the Election Commission (as the Model Code of Conduct is in force till 4 June), he said and extended his deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.
President Droupadi Murmu said she was saddened to know about the loss of lives in the explosion and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“Saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to an explosion at a firecracker factory near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” the President said in a post on X.
Saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to an explosion at a firecracker factory near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 9, 2024
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar offered his condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured.
In a post on ‘X’, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi said he was deeply pained by the loss of precious lives in the tragic fire accident.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” he added.
“The mishap happened at 3 pm. Nine workers died and 10 were injured. Initial investigation on the cause of the fire accident is on,” Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police K Feroze Khan Abdullah said.
On how the fire broke out at the unit, the SP said, “It could be due to employment of untrained workers or overcrowding in a room. And a foreman should supervise the work.”
It was only three days ago that police conducted an awareness meeting among the fireworks manufacturers to prevent accidents. Even the district administration frequently conducted safety meetings, he said.
“But in spite of all these, the accident has happened. We will check for violations,” Abdullah added.
Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das and BJP state chief K Annamalai, too, expressed grief.
(With PTI inputs)
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