Eight killed in explosion at fireworks unit in Sivakasi

Chennai: Eight people, including five women, were charred to death on Thursday when an explosion ripped through a fireworks’ manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar district, officials said. 

The explosion took place at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Kilthirunthangal village near Sivakasi on Thursday afternoon, officials said, adding 10 others were injured in the accident. 

Officials said the accident is believed to have taken place when workers were engaged in mixing chemicals that are used to manufacture crackers. 

Chief Minister M K Stalin said he has instructed the district collector to take necessary efforts to get the injured treated at government hospitals. He also said compensation for the dead persons will be announced after due permission from the Election Commission of India.

Freak accidents inside fireworks manufacturing units in Sivakasi have become a recurring event though the Virudhunagar district says it is taking efforts to reduce the number of incidents through strict enforcement of law.