TN: Death toll in Tirunelveli fireworks unit blast climbs to 5

MADURAI: The death toll in the blast incident at a fancy fireworks manufacturing unit at Varaganur near Sankarankoil in Tirunelveli district climbed to five after a 50-year-old man, who was undergoing treatment at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TMCH), died due to injuries during the early hours on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as R Periyasamy, who hailed from Thiruthangal.

Apart from him, one more woman, T Karupayi, 34, from Elayirampannai who was receiving treatment at TMCH was also said to be very critical as she had suffered 95% burn injuries.

Four persons had been charred to death while six others – including Periyasamy and Karupayi – were badly injured in a major blast belonging to the cracker unit ‘Guna Fireworks’. The accident took place around 1.45 to 2 in the afternoon when close to 40 labourers were at work in seven sheds belonging to the cracker unit.