Death toll in illegal firecracker unit blast in TN rises to 4; CM announces Rs 4 lakh solatium

The death toll in the explosion at an illegal firecracker unit in Sengamalapatti in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district has risen to four. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday, July 27, announced a solatium of ₹4 lakh each for the families of those killed in the incident.

The deceased have been identified as Ramprakash (32), his brother Ramachandran (40), Innasimuthu (44), and Pandithurai (35), all residents of Naranapuram.

Expressing deep grief and extending his condolences to the bereaved families, Chief Minister Vijay sanctioned the financial assistance 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.

Following the incident, Vijay directed the Virudhunagar District Collector to inspect firecracker manufacturing units across the district and take strict action against illegal units operating without valid licences.

The explosion, which residents said occurred around 8.30 am on Sunday, July 26, sent thick white smoke billowing into the air.

Firefighters at the scene said the impact of the blast completely charred one worker inside the shed, while another was blown apart.

The explosion also destroyed a parked van, with its parts flung nearly 20 metres away, partially burnt a two-wheeler, and shattered the window panes of two nearby houses.

Police investigations revealed that the two brothers had allegedly been operating the fireworks unit clandestinely, using an agricultural shed near their nursery as a cover.

Officials said the workers had begun operations as early as 3 am and had illegally drawn free electricity meant exclusively for agricultural use to power the unit.

Authorities had initially reported two deaths on Sunday, July 27, before later confirming that the death toll had risen to four following identification of the victims and ongoing operations at the site.
(With inputs from PTI)