The blast occurred in the Kattanarpatti area of Virudhunagar, a district that is home to a substantial firecracker manufacturing industry. Authorities said one firefighter was also injured during rescue operations at the site.
At least 23 people were killed and eight injured, including two critically, after a powerful explosion tore through a fireworks factory in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district on Sunday, according to local officials.
The blast occurred in the Kattanarpatti area of Virudhunagar, a district that is home to a substantial firecracker manufacturing industry. Authorities said one firefighter was also injured during rescue operations at the site.
Emergency crews continued to search through debris from collapsed structures amid fears that additional workers may be trapped after the explosion.
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Investigators were expected to examine whether safety lapses or the handling of combustible chemicals played a role.
