Eight dead in explosion in fireworks unit in Tamil Nadu

Namaskarichanpatti/Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu), July 21 (ANI): Eight workers were killed and 45 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Namaskarichanpatti in Tamil Nadu.

The explosion took place on Monday at Shri Krishna Fireworks factory, when a worker carrying chemicals in a bucket slipped and fell.

The chemicals caught fire due to friction, the sparks of which fell on the crackers stocked nearby, triggering a series of explosions.

Fire fighters had a tough time in controlling the raging fire that burnt 40 sheds.

The victims of the explosion were admitted to nearby hospital.

The factory owners have announced a compensation of Rupees 200 thousand to the next of kin of those killed in the blast in addition to Rupees 10,000 for funeral charges.

The State Government has also offered assistance for the injured.

"Upon getting information about the accident, state Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, directed me to immediately visit the victims and provide all assistance that is necessary," said KKSSR Ramachandran, a legislator.

This is the second such incident in the region.

Earlier this month, 16 people were killed and around 50 injured in an explosion in a fireworks factory explosion at Vadakkampatti village in the state. (ANI)