At least 25 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with four others seriously injured.
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Virudhunagar on Sunday evening. The factory was supposed to be closed but about 50 workers were inside at the time, officials said.
A second explosion occurred while rescue operations were ongoing, injuring 13 more people, although none sustained serious burns, according to District Collector NO Sukhaputra.
The cause of the blast is not yet known and an investigation is currently underway. An eyewitness, who is being treated for injuries, reported that around 25 people were working in the veranda in front of the factory when the fire broke out, which caused damage to at least three rooms and reduced parts of the building to rubble.
Rescue operations, which have now concluded, were significantly impeded as firecrackers continued to explode inside the building.
A complaint has been filed against the factory owner and foreman, both of whom are currently absconding, police said, adding that four special teams have been established to trace and arrest them.
Efforts to identify the victims continued, with district officials stating that 22 of the 25 deceased individuals had been identified, most of whom were women. Some reports indicate that the force of the blast left several bodies charred beyond recognition.
Accidents at fireworks factories in India are unfortunately common, providing firecrackers for weddings, festivals, and other ceremonies, while facing scrutiny over safety standards.
The tragedy raised questions about potential safety violations, with district collector Sukhaputra stating that the factory should not have been operating on a Sunday, marking it as a first violation. Although it held a valid license, checks into other possible breaches are ongoing.
The incident drew swift political responses, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it deeply distressing and expressing condolences to the affected families. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remarked that the deaths have caused immense sorrow and has instructed officials to provide all necessary assistance.
