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One person was killed and several others injured following an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit near Sivakasi of Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu. Several people have also suffered injuries, as per reports.
The incident took place at Neeraathi Lingam - a firecracker manufacturing unit that has been functioning for many years with hundreds of employees - around Wednesday evening.
The explosion was reported at the place where chemicals used to manufacture children’s firecrackers are kept. A 38-year-old employee, identified as Suresh, was killed in the blast.
Another employee Palpandi received severe injuries. He is currently being treated at Sivakasi government hospital.
An FIR has been registered and an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced 3 lakh ex gratia for the kin of the deceased.
Over the last few years, the firecracker capital of India has been seeing a series of fatal explosions. In May last year, eight people including five women workers were killed in an explosion at Sri Sudharshan Fireworks in Virudhunagar district. Friction during handling of chemicals is suspected to have triggered the explosion.
Experts blame it on blatant safety violations, including deploying many workers with no training and knowledge of the chemicals they deal with and the right way to handle them.