Chennai: At least eight workers, including five women, were killed and 12 others sustained injuries in a blast at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district on Thursday.
The accident took place when workers at Sri Sudharshan Fireworks in Sengamalapatti village near Sivakasi of Virudhunagar district were manufacturing fancy variety crackers under a working shed.
The fire soon spread to nearby working sheds, eyewitnesses said.
Fire services personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.
The injured have been admitted to Sivakasi Government Hospital.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin expressed grief, but since the model code of conduct is in force due to Lok Sabha elections, government relief will be provided to family members of deceased after receiving permission from Election Commission of India.
Probe is underway to ascertain the cause of fire. According to local people, the fire may have been triggered due to friction.
