Two workers killed, five hurt in Virudhunagar cracker unit blast

MADURAI: Two workers were killed and five others were injured in an explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit at Kangarseval near Vembakottai in Virudhunagar district on Wednesday. The blast occurred at around 1 p.m., when the workers were engaged in filling chemicals in a room on the premises. The deceased have been identified as Gowri (50), and Kalimuthu (45).

Those injured were identified as Megala (21), Jeyalakshmi (55), Mariyammal (40), Sivaranjini (31), and Kumaresan (30). While Kalimuthu and Megalai suffered burns, the rest were injured after hit by flying debris. They were rushed to Sivakasi Government Hospital.

Kalimuthu, who suffered 80 per cent burns, later died at the hospital late at night. Megala suffered about 35 to 40 per cent burns, hospital sources said.

According to Virudhunagar District Fire Officer M Chandra Kumar, water tenders from Vembakottai and Sivakasi Fire stations were rushed to the spot in a swift response to the serious fire call. The deadly explosion flattened the chemical filling room and damaged a nearby room partially, with debris scattered all around. The explosion could have occurred due to the decomposition of chemicals. However, the exact cause of the explosion is being examined, the DFO said.

Sources said standard safety procedures were not followed in the licensed manufacturing unit, and hence the licence was temporarily suspended, sources said.

K Rajeshkannan, Deputy Director, Southern region, Fire and Rescue Services Department, Revenue officials, and police inspected the accident site and held inquiries. Based on a complaint lodged by the Kangarseval VAO, Alangulam police have filed a case.