Blast at Firecracker Unit in Virudhunagar, 17 Dead

Virudhunagar: Seventeen people were killed and six others critically injured when a massive explosion tore through a firecracker manufacturing unit at Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar on Sunday.

The blast, believed to have been triggered by friction during the production process, also damaged the factory building and sent shockwaves across the region. Eyewitnesses said the explosion was heard up to 10 kilometres away. More than 30 workers are believed to have been present at the facility at the time of the incident.

Fire and rescue teams from Sivakasi, Sattur, and Virudhunagar rushed to the scene and launched relief and rescue operations. The six injured workers have been hospitalised in critical condition.

Local media reports indicated that the fire department continues to work at the site, with rescue operations still underway.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his grief over the tragedy, writing on X: "The news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion at Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives."

Stalin said he had directed senior ministers to rush to the site to oversee relief efforts. "I have requested Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to proceed to the scene immediately to expedite rescue operations and offer solace to the affected families," he said.