Virudhunagar (Tamil Nadu): At least eleven persons were killed in two different blasts that ripped through firecracker factories in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar on Tuesday, the police said. The first explosion occurred at the Kanishkar Firecrackers factory in the M Budhupatti Rengapalayam area claiming the lives of nine workers where over 15 workers were discharging their duties.
The second explosion took place at the firecracker factory owned by Muthu Vijayan, located in the Reddiapatti area resulting in the loss of one life, official sources said. The nine deceased were identified as Bhakyam (35), Mahadevi (50), Panchavarnam (35), Balamurugan (30), Tamilchelvi (55), Muneeswari (32), Thangamalai (33), Anitha (40) and Guruvammal (55) lost their lives at the Kanishkar Firecrackers factory and Vembum, too, died at the firecracker factory in the Reddiapatti area. The identity of the 11th deceased is yet to be ascertained.
Also read: Fire guts five coaches of passenger train in Ahmednagar district; no casualties
Currently, a few workers are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals for severe injuries sustained during the explosions, sources said. Sources further stated that firefighters and rescue personnel reached the spot and launched a search for the survivors. The police registered cases and ordered an investigation to know the causes of devastating incidents, with the hope of preventing similar tragedies in the future, sources said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the grievously injured.
Earlier on October 7, at least 12 people were killed after a firecracker godown caught fire at Attibele on the Bengaluru-Hosur Interstate Highway in Karnataka's Anekal taluk. Four persons, including the shop owner, sustained burn injuries and were provided treatment. However, one of them who received serious burn injuries has been referred to another hospital. Most of them who died were employees working in the firecracker godown-cum-shop.
