5 women killed, 3 injured in V’nagar firecracker unit blast

Sources said, Rajeswari fire cracker unit, owned by Shamuganathan from Sivakasi has been functioning at Sengulam village near Erinatham situated on Virudhunagar-Madurai district borders.

On Friday, a group of workers were making fancy cracker wicks when there was a blast. This caused two cabins to collapse and five women were killed on the spot. The victims were identified as M Velthayee (45) of Parapatti, P Lakshmi (40) from Silarpatti, K Ayyammal (65) from Kadaneri, P Suruliammal (50) from Govindanallur and an unidentified woman.

Fire and Rescue personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The team also rescued the three injured and rushed them to Madurai GH.

T Kallupatti police registered a case and after initial probe it was found that friction between cracker wicks had caused the explosion. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. The injurd would get Rs 1 lakh.