Chennai: A detailed investigation has been ordered into Friday’s mishap in Cuddalore district, in which at least nine people were killed and five others injured after an explosion in a firecracker factory.
“We have launched a probe to ascertain the cause of explosion, which has completely damage the building,” said Cuddalore Superintendent of Police Sree Abhinav.
He added: “It is a licenced unit near Kattumannarkoil. All of them were workers. Investigation is on into whether they were making country-made bombs and whether they were using only permitted explosives.”
He also said that that a preliminary inquiry has revealed that mishandling of chemicals may have resulted in the explosion. “In the wake of the explosion, we are going to have a special drive to check all the fireworks godown in the district. We have always had a mechanism to check these godowns quarterly. We are going to strengthen it.”
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to them. “Hearing the news about the death of seven women in theblast is distressing. I express my heartfelt condolences andsympathies to the bereaved families,” he said.