Daijiworld Media Network - Virudhunagar

Virudhunagar, Apr 19: A massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday claimed at least 18 lives and left six others injured, sending shockwaves across the state.

The incident occurred at the Vanaja Firecracker Factory, which is owned by Muthu Manickam of Govindanallur and was reportedly functioning with a valid Revenue Divisional Officer licence. At the time of the blast, more than 30 workers were engaged in routine firecracker production inside the facility.

Preliminary findings suggest that the explosion was triggered by friction during the manufacturing process, which led to the sudden ignition of explosive materials. The impact was so severe that at least four rooms of the unit were completely destroyed. Residents in nearby areas reported hearing the blast from up to 10 kilometres away.

Fire and rescue teams from nearby towns, including Sivakasi, Sattur, and Virudhunagar, rushed to the site immediately after the incident. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after more than an hour of intense effort, following which rescue operations began amid the debris.

Officials described the rescue work as extremely difficult, with several workers trapped under collapsed structures. Initial reports put the death toll at 14, but it later rose to 18 as additional bodies were recovered during the search operation.

The injured victims were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment under close medical supervision.

Senior police officer Sreenatha visited the site and is overseeing both rescue operations and the ongoing investigation. A case has been registered, and authorities are examining whether safety norms were properly followed at the unit.

The tragedy has once again brought attention to safety lapses in the firecracker manufacturing hubs of Virudhunagar district, a region known for its dense cluster of such units. Officials are expected to intensify inspections and review compliance measures in the aftermath of the incident.