Firecracker factory accidents in India

Sivakasi has witnessed several fire accidents in the past among which the 2012 factory explosion is regarded as the most fatal. Forty factory workers were killed and 70 got severely injured. Reports suggest that the tragedy occurred in a facility did not have a valid licence.

Hyderabad: The recent fire incident that took place at the firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar claiming 19 lives has once again put the spotlight on the firecracker factory explosions in the country.

According to the Police, the explosion happened while the workers were mixing chemicals which are used in the manufacturing of firecrackers. Four cracker manufacturing sheds were destroyed in the accident.

This was not the first incident

Tamil Nadu, which has witnessed most of the fire incidents in the firecracker factory in the past, has once again come into the spotlight with the recent accident. Accidents have repeated in Tamil Nadu despite the state government implementing stringent regulations.

Sivakasi — a town in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu is famous for its firecracker, matchbox and printing industries. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 2,50,000 people with an estimated annual turnover of Rs 20 billion.

What causes the fatal accident

According to reports, the factories employ children under 14 years, making the manufacturing process more precarious.

Sivakasi has witnessed several fire accidents in the past among which the 2012 factory explosion is regarded as the most fatal. Forty factory workers were killed and 70 got severely injured. Reports suggest that the tragedy occurred in a facility did not have a valid licence.

Here is a list of some of the major firecracker factory accidents in India

Here is a list of some of the major firecracker factory explosions in India

Here is a list of some of the major firecracker factory explosions in India

September 2005,Bihar:35 killed, 50 injured in three illegal firecracker manufacturing facilities at Khusropur village.

August 2006, Uttar Pradesh:Seven workers, including children, were killed and 10 others injured in an explosion in a firecracker production unit in the district

November 2012, Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh: Eight people, including six members of a family, were killed and 12 others injured following an explosion at a house where firecrackers were manufactured illegally.