Virudhunagar, 19 April (H.S.):At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar on Sunday, sending shockwaves across the region.

The incident occurred at the Vanaja Firecracker Factory, owned by Muthu Manickam of Govindanallur, which was reportedly operating with a valid licence. According to officials, around 30 workers were present at the facility when the explosion took place during routine firecracker production.

Preliminary reports suggest that friction during the manufacturing process may have triggered the blast, causing highly combustible materials to ignite instantly. The explosion was so intense that at least four rooms of the factory were completely destroyed. Residents in nearby areas reported hearing the sound of the blast from several kilometres away.

Fire and rescue services personnel from Sivakasi, Sattur and Virudhunagar rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information. Firefighters battled the flames for over an hour before bringing the blaze under control, paving the way for rescue operations.

Rescue teams faced significant challenges as several workers were trapped under debris. After hours of search operations, authorities confirmed that 18 bodies had been recovered from the site. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are undergoing treatment.

Superintendent of Police Sreenatha visited the accident site and supervised the rescue efforts. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and to examine whether safety protocols were followed.

The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over safety standards in firecracker units in the Virudhunagar region, a hub for fireworks manufacturing in Tamil Nadu.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman