As many as five people were killed in an explosion that occurred in a private firecracker factory near Usilambatti in Madurai today, said the Superintendent of Police, Madurai.
Investigators say the unit had licence to manufacture crackers. Another police officer on the ground added, “The mortal remains are dismembered. Such was the impact.”
The police said a preliminary probe revealed that the fire broke out when the workers were engaged in mixing highly inflammable chemicals for making fancy varieties of crackers and this triggered a series of explosions. Videos show mutilated body parts strewn around the godown. A few concrete structures too appear blown away. The explosion was so huge that bodies were blown to pieces and the dismembered bodies were beyond recognition. The firework factory was completely demolished after the massive explosion. The deceased were identified as Ammavasai, Vallarasu, Gopi, Vicky, and Prema. The injured persons including Jeyapandi, Karupasamy, and Mahalakshmi were taken to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment. The rest are being treated in private hospitals.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed grief over the deaths in the Madurai firecracker factory explosion and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of the deceased.
Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister, P Moorthy handed over the compensation to the families of the deceased. “I was deeply saddened to hear the news that five people died in a sudden explosion today in a Firecrackers factory operating in the village near Tirumangalam in Madurai district,” said CM Stalin.
Taking note of the incident, he said, “I have ordered special treatment for those injured in this accident at Madurai Government Rajaji Medical College Hospital.”
Confirming the death toll, Tamil Nadu Minster Moorty said that five people have died and the injured are being treated.
