Around seven workers were killed in a blast at private fireworks unit on March 27, reported Hindustan Times. The incident took place in a licensed fireworks factory in Mannargudi in Thiravarur district of Tamil Nadu.
More than 50 workers were inside
T Anand, district collector of Thiruvarur said that the incident happened around 9.20 am when workers started their work. The district collector further explaining the painful incident said that atleast 50 workers, including 18 women were engaged in the packing, shifting, filling ingredients for the firecrackers. He also confirmed that the factory had a proper license and that an investigation is underway.
People who lost their lives were identified as Suresh, Babu, Mohan, Singaravelu, Veerayyan, Arivu. The seventh body has not been recognised as it is charred beyond recognition. Several are critical in condition and are admitted at the Mannargudi General Hospital. Sadly, some of the workers have lost their limbs due to the explosion.
What police said
The police are yet to find the actual source of the fire. However, they have clarified that at least a tonne of country-made crackers was present in the unit. The police suspect that lit cigarette/bidi butt might have caused the ember, resulting in such a mishap.
One of the police officer explaining the hefty amount of country-made firecrackers present in the factory said that Panguni Uthiram and Chitirai Temple festivals are time for these firecracker owners to make a massive profit as for the Temple Festivals, the cheaper country-made firecrackers are used more. He also said that as the work pressure was more before these festivals, workers failed to notice the fire breakout sooner. He also said that the crackers went off within seconds. According to reports, it took more than an hour for the authorities to douse the flame.
One of the residents of Mannai Nagar told Hindustan Times that due to the intensity of the explosion, they struggled to enter the compound. He also said that the blast was so loud that nearby residential areas felt its vibration.
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