8 killed in explosion at Kanchi cracker unit; 16 under treatment

CHENNAI: Eight people died and 16 others were admitted to the hospital with severe burns after a blast happened in a private firecracker unit in Kancheepuram on Wednesday

A private firecracker unit is situated in the Kuruvi Malai in Kancheepuram. On Wednesday around 12 pm, the chemicals that were kept outside the unit in the sunlight caught fire and soon within a few minutes the fire spread to the entire premises of the unit and it blasted. Police sources said there were more than 25 workers in the unit during that time. The blast was too loud that made the residents in kilometre surroundings think that it was an earthquake and the people in fear rushed out of their houses.

The rescue teams from Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur rushed to the spot and began the rescue operations. Police said that eight people, including seven women, died on the spot and 16 other workers are admitted to the Kancheepuram GH in critical condition. The rescue operation is still on and the police have registered a case.