Explosion at firecracker factory near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, 7 injured

A powerful explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district left seven workers injured on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at Sathya Prabha Fireworks in Chinna Vadiyur village around 1:30 pm during the lunch break.

The factory, owned by Mohanraj, operates with a license from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). At the time of the explosion, nearly 60 workers were engaged in manufacturing firecrackers in multiple working sheds. The blast resulted in the collapse of at least five sheds, injuring seven workers. The injured were immediately rushed to Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Upon receiving the alert, fire and rescue teams from Virudhunagar, Sattur, and Sivakasi reached the spot. However, due to continuous explosions inside the factory, firefighters had to wait for nearly 30 minutes before entering. They battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control.

Reports indicate that the explosion occurred while workers were manufacturing Pansy brand firecrackers. The impact of the blast was severe, damaging more than ten rooms within the factory. Among the injured, six are reported to be in stable condition, while one worker is undergoing further treatment.

Meanwhile, the Vachakkarapatti police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are trying to determine the exact cause of the explosion and assess the extent of the damage.

Sivakasi, known as India’s firecracker hub, has witnessed several such accidents in the past. Safety measures at firecracker manufacturing units remain a critical concern.