Chennai: In a gruesome tragedy, 19 were killed and many others injured, many of them seriously in series of explosions triggered by a massive inferno at a fireworks manufacuring factory at Achankulam village near Sattur in Virudhunagar district Friday. The toll was initially 11.
Leaders across the nation have expressed shock over the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each and Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Police said the fire broke out at Sri Mariyammal Fireworks Factory, this afternoon leading to a series of explosions, when the labourers were engaged in making fancy variety crackers.
The fire and explosions razed down ten ware houses, where huge stock of finished crackers and highly inflammable chemicals were stored.
Preliminary investigations revealed that friction while handling the chemicals was the reason for the fire tragedy.
Virudhunagar district Fire Officer K.Ganesan said fire tenders from Sattur, Vembakottai and Sivakasi rushed to the factory and extinguished the blaze. The injured were admitted to the government hospitals at Sattur and Sivakasi.
District Collector R.Kannan, who visited the factory, told newsmen that a detailed probe would be conducted into the fire accident.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Madurai range S.Rajendran told newspersons that five special police teams were formed to arrest the owner of the factory.