9 dead in firecracker factory blast in Sengamalapatti, Sivakasi

CHENNAI: Nine workers, including five women, died and 10 others were injured in a blaze at a fireworks-manufacturing unit in Sivakasi on Thursday, a senior police official said.

The workers, including five women, were killed in the accident at a fireworks-manufacturing unit near Sengamalapatti in Sivakasi in the district. Seven rooms where the firecrackers were stocked were completely gutted, police said.

Police and fire service personnel rushed the injured to the government hospital in Sivakasi. A senior police official said the cause of the fire was being ascertained and added that the unit is a licenced one.

Reacting to the incident, President Droupadi Murmu said she was saddened to learn about the loss of many lives due to the explosion at the firecracker factory near Sivakasi.

“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” she said in a post on social media platform X.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed pain over the loss of lives.

“Anguished by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a factory in Sivakasi. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray those injured recover at the earliest,” PM Modi said.

Stating that he was deeply pained by the loss of precious lives in the tragic fire accident, Governor RN Ravi said: “My heartfelt condolences to the kin of the deceased and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”

Chief Minister MK Stalin, who expressed condolences over the incident, directed the district authorities to provide appropriate medical care to the injured and save lives. “I have directed the officials to ensure appropriate life-saving treatment for the injured,” Stalin said.

The state government will extend relief to the affected after obtaining due consent from the Election Commission (as the Model Code of Conduct is in force till June 4), he said.