The explosion at a firecracker factory in Sivakasi's Sengamalapatti, owned by Sudharshan, resulted in the tragic loss of at least eight lives and left several others injured. The blast, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, caused significant damage, destroying seven rooms of the factory. Witnesses reported that the explosion was so intense that it could be heard from a distance of approximately 1 km, with white smoke billowing from the site following the incident. Fire and rescue service personnel are currently at the scene, conducting operations, and further investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway.
In response to the devastating incident, President Draupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased workers. She conveyed her heartfelt sympathies and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blast. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also offered his condolences, expressing deep sadness over the loss of lives. He immediately contacted the District Collector of Virudhunagar, instructing swift rescue operations and ensuring that the injured received proper medical treatment. Additionally, he assured that relief assistance would be provided to the victims, pending approval from the Election Commission.
The explosion in Sivakasi adds to a series of tragic incidents in firecracker factories in the region. Earlier this year, 10 individuals lost their lives in a similar explosion at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar. Similarly, in October 2023, 11 people were killed in separate fire accidents at fireworks units in the vicinity. These incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and strict enforcement of regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
