Eight killed in cracker unit blast

21/03/2020

The exact cause of the fire that sparked the explosion around 3.10 p.m. was under investigation, he added.

The Collector said that the licence of the unit was suspended in 2018 after officials discovered violations of safety norms. “The suspension was revoked in 2019 with a warning and the licensee gave an undertaking to comply with conditions,” Mr. Kannan said.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel had to struggle for hours to put out the flames, as the chemicals at the accident site kept exploding till 8 p.m. All five work sheds were gutted.

Inspector General of Police (South Zone) K.P. Shanmuga Rajeswaran inspected the accident site along with the Superintendent of Police P. Perumal.

“Luckily, a godown on the fireworks premises where the raw chemicals were stocked in huge quantities escaped the flames. Otherwise, it could have caused havoc,” Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, A. Kalimuthu, said.

The deceased were identified as J. Rani, 42, G. Tamilselvi, 35, M. Thangammal, 39, J. Jeyabharathi, 47, M. Badrakali, 33, S. Veluthai, 34, R. Kaliammal, 63, and A. Murugaiah,57.

The injured were rushed to the government hospital in Kovilpatti. However, four of them were shifted to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital in Palayamkottai and four others to the government hospital in Thoothukudi.

The Elayirampannai police are investigating.