Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu) Jul 27 (PTI) The death toll in the explosion at an illegal firecracker unit in Sengamalapatti, near here, rose to four, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announcing a solatium of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprakash (32) and his brother Ramachandran (40); Innasimuthu (44); and Pandithurai (35) of Naranapuram.
Expressing deep grief and condolences to the bereaved families, CM Vijay sanctioned the financial assistance to each victim’s family from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund (CMPRF).
“I was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that four persons lost their lives in an unexpected explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit operating on private land without proper permissions,” the chief minister said in an official release.
In the wake of the tragedy, the CM instructed the Virudhunagar District Collector to inspect manufacturing units across the district and take strict action against any illegal firecracker operations functioning without proper licenses.
The blast, which residents reported hearing around 8.30 am on Sunday, sent thick white fumes into the air.
Firemen at the scene noted that the impact completely charred one worker inside the shed, while the other was blown apart.
The explosion gutted a parked van, hurling its parts nearly 20 meters away, partially burnt a two-wheeler, and shattered the window panes of two houses in the vicinity.
Police investigations have revealed that the brothers set up the fireworks operation stealthily, using an agricultural shed near their nursery as a front.
According to officials, the workers had commenced operations as early as 3 am and had illegally tapped into free electricity meant solely for agricultural use to power the shed.
Authorities had initially reported two fatalities on Sunday before confirming four victims following ongoing operations and identification processes at the site. PTI JR KH
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