Eight people, including five women workers, died in an explosion at a fireworks factory near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Twelve others suffered burns. Friction during chemical handling is suspected to have caused the blast at Sri Sudharshan Fireworks in Virudhunagar district.
District SP K Feroze Khan Abdullah stated that the unit is licensed for manufacturing fancy fireworks, with the explosion possibly triggered by chemical mixing friction. Investigations are ongoing.
Videos show thick smoke and minor explosions as rescuers approach cautiously. An injured person is seen being taken from the site on a wheelbarrow.
Sivakasi, known as India’s firecracker capital, has witnessed several fatal explosions in recent years. Last October, 27 deaths occurred within a fortnight. This month, three were killed in a quarry blast.
Experts attribute these incidents to safety violations, including untrained workers handling chemicals improperly. Dr V Sriram, a fire safety expert, notes that 99% of factory explosions result from human error, often due to mishandling chemicals during mixing.
Dr Sriram highlights deviations from safety norms, like handling excessive explosives, as exacerbating risks. He also mentions the use of banned chemicals as a contributing factor.
Despite periodic arrests, fire safety standards in Sivakasi remain inadequate. Experts advocate for state-conducted safety audits across all fireworks manufacturing units.
No arrests have been made in this case yet. Chief Minister MK Stalin has offered condolences and promised relief for affected families, pending Election Commission approval due to the model code.