CHENNAI: Six workers were killed and one injured when an explosion gutted a cracker manufacturing unit they were working in, at Kottur near Sattur in Virudhunagar district around 9m on Saturday.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the blast went off in a chemical mixing room and flattened four rooms.

While five bodies were recovered soon after the blast, rescue operators had a tough time finding the remaining deceased as body parts were strewn among the ruins. An earthmover was brought in to lift the debris, after which the body parts were retrieved, said sources.

According to sources, despite being licensed, the unit did not have standard safety protocols in place. Their licence has been temporarily suspended.