Eight killed in TN firecracker making unit blast
VIRUDHUNAGAR: Eight workers were killed and five others injured in an explosion at a fireworks unit at Chinnakamanpatti village in Virudhunagar district on Tuesday. The incident happened at Gokulesh Fireworks near Sattur, a unit licensed by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.
Around 8.20am, workers were handling chemicals required for the manufacture of aerial crackers in the chemical mixing room when the blast occurred, triggered by friction, police said.
Eight workers, Mahalingam, 55, Ramamoorthy, 45, Ramajeyam, 27, Lakshmi, 22, Vairamani, 32, Chellapandi, Nagapandi, and Punniamoorthy, died on the spot. Five others sustained injuries and were admitted to Sivakasi govt hospital.
Police arrested the unit’s foreman Ravi and are conducting further investigations. The unit owned by Kamalkumar and Selvam of Sivakasi had nearly 48 working sheds and 80 employees. Fire and rescue services personnel rushed in and doused the flames. Seven working sheds collapsed in the blast. Based on the complaint of the village administrative officer, Sattur town police registered a case against Kamalkumar, Selvam, and Mayakannan, who is the owner of the land where the fireworks unit is situated. Cases were also registered against foremen Ravi and Natarajan.
Virudhunagar district collector N O Sukhaputra visited the fireworks unit and conducted an inquiry. He said officials from industrial safety and health are conducting an inspection to ascertain whether there were any violations in the unit. Steps are being taken by the officials to cancel the licence of the unit.
While expressing sadness at the tragedy, chief minister M K Stalin announced a compensation of Rs4 lakh each to the family members of the deceased workers. He also announced Rs1 lakh each to the workers who sustained severe injuries and Rs50,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries. He said he had instructed doctors to provide proper treatment to the injured workers.
Around 8.20am, workers were handling chemicals required for the manufacture of aerial crackers in the chemical mixing room when the blast occurred, triggered by friction, police said.
Eight workers, Mahalingam, 55, Ramamoorthy, 45, Ramajeyam, 27, Lakshmi, 22, Vairamani, 32, Chellapandi, Nagapandi, and Punniamoorthy, died on the spot. Five others sustained injuries and were admitted to Sivakasi govt hospital.
Police arrested the unit’s foreman Ravi and are conducting further investigations. The unit owned by Kamalkumar and Selvam of Sivakasi had nearly 48 working sheds and 80 employees. Fire and rescue services personnel rushed in and doused the flames. Seven working sheds collapsed in the blast. Based on the complaint of the village administrative officer, Sattur town police registered a case against Kamalkumar, Selvam, and Mayakannan, who is the owner of the land where the fireworks unit is situated. Cases were also registered against foremen Ravi and Natarajan.
Virudhunagar district collector N O Sukhaputra visited the fireworks unit and conducted an inquiry. He said officials from industrial safety and health are conducting an inspection to ascertain whether there were any violations in the unit. Steps are being taken by the officials to cancel the licence of the unit.
While expressing sadness at the tragedy, chief minister M K Stalin announced a compensation of Rs4 lakh each to the family members of the deceased workers. He also announced Rs1 lakh each to the workers who sustained severe injuries and Rs50,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries. He said he had instructed doctors to provide proper treatment to the injured workers.
Next Story