Published Apr 19, 2026 | 6:15 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2026 | 7:15 PM
Police from Vachakkarapatti and fire and rescue teams from Sivakasi and Virudhunagar rushed to the site and are clearing debris to locate survivors.
Synopsis: At least 21 workers were killed and six others injured when an explosion tore through a fireworks factory in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday. The blast at the Vanaja Fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti razed three rooms of the facility. The injured workers were rescued and taken to Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital.
At least 21 workers were killed and six seriously injured after an explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday 19 April.
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti, owned by former panchayat president Easwari of Govindhanallur.
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti, owned by former panchayat president Easwari of Govindhanallur. Workers were reportedly producing “pattar plate” (a type of cracker) when the accident took place.
Preliminary information suggests friction during the mixing of explosive chemicals triggered the blast in a room where raw materials were stored. The ignition set off a chain reaction, which led to a large explosion that levelled three rooms of the facility.
Police from Vachakkarapatti and fire and rescue teams from Sivakasi and Virudhunagar rushed to the site and are clearing debris to locate survivors.
Six injured workers have been rescued and admitted to Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital for treatment. Doctors said several remain in critical condition.
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Authorities are continuing rescue operations. JCB machines are clearing debris as teams check for workers trapped under the rubble.
Six injured workers have been rescued and admitted to Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital.
District Collector Sukhavudhra and Superintendent of Police Srinatha have also reached the site and are conducting an inquiry into the incident.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the incident “extremely painful” and offered condolences to the families of the dead. He directed Ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to visit the site, oversee rescue work, and support affected families.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic incident, noting that the victims were workers who had left their homes to earn a living for their families.
“My thoughts are with the grieving families,” he said, while also wishing a swift recovery to those injured in the blast.
(This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.)
