Virudhunagar, Apr 20:
At least 25 people died in an explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar district on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident deeply distressing as he condoled the deaths.
“The mishap in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu is deeply distressing. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” he said on X.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also condoled the loss of lives.
“The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” Stalin wrote on X..
Local authorities suspect that friction during the mixing of chemicals triggered the explosion.
The blast occurred when 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing-related processes at the firecrackers unit at Kattanarpatti, the local police said.