23 Killed in Massive Explosion at Firecracker Unit in Tamil Nadu

At least 23 people were killed and six others injured in a massive explosion at a private firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar district on Sunday, police said.

The blast occurred at the ‘Vanaja’ fireworks factory , owned by Muthumanickam, under the Vachakarapatti police station limits. Officials said over 100 labourers were engaged in work inside the complex at the time of the incident.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the unit reportedly holds a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) , Nagpur. The explosion is believed to have originated in the front veranda area , where workers were handling raw materials and carrying out final-stage firecracker manufacturing.

The impact was extremely powerful, reducing at least three rooms to rubble and completely leveling nearby structures. Fire and rescue officials said the blast caused multiple secondary explosions, making rescue efforts difficult.

“We have recovered 23 bodies so far, many charred beyond recognition,” a police official said, adding that the identity of several victims is yet to be confirmed. Of the six injured, four are in critical condition , while three women have suffered around 60 per cent burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital.

Rescue operations continued for several hours as firefighters battled intense flames. Officials said repeated explosions from stored firecrackers hampered efforts, raising fears that more workers may still be trapped under debris.

This is being described as the deadliest industrial accident in the region this year , coming just days after a similar blast in Vembakottai that killed four people in the same district.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow and directed Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu rush to the site to supervise rescue and relief operations. He also instructed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to victims’ families.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the tragedy, saying the victims were workers who went out to earn a living, and wished speedy recovery to the injured. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also conveyed condolences and prayed for the recovery of those injured.

Further details are awaited as search and rescue operations continue.