At least 25 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with four others seriously injured.
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Virudhunagar on Sunday evening. The factory was supposed to be closed but about 50 workers were inside at the time, officials said.
A second explosion occurred while rescue operations were ongoing, injuring 13 more individuals, although none sustained serious burns, District Collector NO Sukhaputra told ANI news agency.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation. Eyewitness accounts suggest that approximately 25 workers were present outside the factory when the fire broke out, leading to significant structural damage.
Rescue operations were hindered by ongoing explosions inside the building, causing panic among responders. A complaint has been lodged against both the factory owner and the foreman, who are currently on the run, prompting police to form special teams to locate and apprehend them.
Currently, 22 of the 25 deceased have been identified, with many reported to be women. There are alarming reports indicating that some bodies were charred beyond recognition due to the intensity of the blast.
Accidents at fireworks factories are not uncommon in India, often invoking serious concerns about safety standards. This industry is critical for supplying fireworks for various celebrations but faces scrutiny regarding its practices.
As investigations continue, the spotlight is on potential safety violations, notably the factory's operation on a day it was supposedly closed. Collector Sukhaputra noted that this represented a clear violation of regulations.
The tragedy drew responses from high-level officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed deep concern and condolences. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also conveyed his sorrow over the incident and directed officials to provide necessary support to affected families.
