Tamil Nadu: 11 Killed, 2 Injured After Fire at Firecracker Units in Virudhunagar; CM Announces Ex-gratia

At least 11 people were killed and two injured after a fire broke out at two firecracker units in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district on Tuesday.

Seven charred bodies were recovered from the blast site at the fireworks unit in Rangapalayam. The police said their identities are yet to be established.

Among the people who were rescued from the unit, three died due to injuries.

A senior police official told PTI, “Seven charred bodies were recovered from the sudden blast at the fireworks unit in Rangapalayam, and their identities are yet to be established.” The police suspected that the recovered ones could be workers.

In a separate fire incident at a unit in Kichanayakanpatti village, a man identified as 35-year-old Vembu lost his life. Two women workers who were rescued from this unit were admitted to the Srivilliputtur Government Hospital for treatment.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his grief for the loss of lives in the incident. He announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the ones who have been seriously injured.

A few days ago, around nine people were killed and several others were injured in an explosion inside a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district. At least 23 workers were inside when the explosion occurred at the Yaazh FireWorks in the Thirumanur area of the district.

In July, eight people, including three women, were killed in an explosion at a firecracker unit in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the fateful incident and announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of those who died in the explosion. The PMO also announced Rs 50,000 compensation each for those who were injured.

(with PTI inputs)