At least eleven people have died and 36 injured in an explosion at a private firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar, around 500 kilometres from Chennai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the blast.
“Fire at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu is saddening. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover soon. Authorities are working on the ground to assist those affected,” he tweeted.
Fire at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu is saddening. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover soon. Authorities are working on the ground to assist those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 12, 2021
The explosion took place at around 1.30 pm today while some chemicals were being mixed to produce firecrackers, police said.
Ten fire-fighting units from various locations were rushed to the spot to douse the fire in the factory, news agency PTI reported.
Chief Minister E Palaniswami has announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the families of those who died in the blast and Rs 1 lakh to the severely injured.
The Centre has announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each has been approved from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a fire in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured,” a tweet from the PMO account read.