Fireworks explosion: death toll rises to five

Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, Sep 30 (UNI) The death toll in the explosion at a private fireworks manufacturing factory at nearby Meenampatti village yesterday has gone up to five with a 40-year-old employee succumbing to his injuries today.

Police identified the deceased as C Chinnasamy of nearby Thiruthangal.

Four people were killed on the spot and 16 others injured in the explosion which razed the cracker manufacturing unit to the ground.

The employees were engaged in the production of fancy fireworks at the time.

The impact of the blast was so much that 19 concrete sheds at the factory were destroyed while five suffered partial damage. A case had been registered against the proprietor of the unit.

The condition of three of the 15 victims, being treated at the Government Hospital here, was stated to be serious.

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