Six die in Nellai cracker unit blast, CM orders Rs 1L solatium

Eight sheds in the factory unit at Varaganur were destroyed when the bundles of firecrackers kept for drying exploded, they said.

The deceased included three women. The injured people were admitted to the Sivakasi General Hospital where their condition is being monitored.

Meanwhile, police sources said the explosion, which took place at Guna fireworks unit, located in a two-acre area that completely damaged the unit. Police said, majority of the workers employed in the unit were from Virudhunagar district and were handling potassium nitrate chemicals in a room when the explosion occurred. The explosion is reportedly due to the friction.

The explosion, which occurred at around 2.30 pm, soon spread to the adjacent rooms, even as a thick smoke engulfed the area.

Three fire tenders were engaged to douse the flames, police said. Senior police officials, including District Superintendent of Police S P Rajarajan inspected the spot and supervised the rescue operations. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the death of four people in the explosion and announced a solatium of Rs 1 lakh each to their families.

In a statement here, he expressed anguish and grief over their deaths and also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 each to those who suffered serious injuries and Rs 25,000 each to those who sustained minor injuries from the CM’s Public Relief Fund. Palaniswami also directed the Tirunelveli district administration and the hospital authorities to provide the best of treatment for the injured.