Virudhunagar firecracker unit blast: Toll climbs to 25, bodies charred beyond recognition

Eyewitnesses described the scale of the blast and residents’ accounts included a daughter pleading for government employment assistance for a deceased worker’s family.

Sources said about 1,000 people, including families of the victims and nearby residents, threatened a road roko to press for arrests of the factory owner.

Chief Minister M K Stalin ordered a high-level probe and directed ministers to oversee relief efforts.

Preliminary findings suggested the blast originated in a chemical mixing shed where about 40 workers were busy, violating safety norms that typically limit occupancy to four per shed.

The factory owner, Muthumanickam, is reported to be absconding. The Virudhunagar Collector said the unit was operating without permission on a rest day, and the unit is said to be licensed by PESO, Nagpur.

Post-mortem reports established 25 victims: 22 women and 3 men. Bodies were charred beyond recognition, with identification possible mainly by jewellery. Eight workers were critically injured (about 60% burn injuries), and 12 others were injured, including eight policemen and four firemen, during the incident and rescue operations.

At about 7:20 pm on Sunday, a second blast occurred as an earthmover cleared debris, injuring several responders, including eight police personnel and four firemen.

Around 3:15 pm on Sunday, a massive explosion ripped through the Vanaja firecracker unit. Eyewitnesses described thick black smoke rising into the sky as production was underway in the area.

The article notes that a similar accident occurred in Vembakkottai just days earlier, indicating ongoing safety concerns in the district's firecracker sector.