The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : 8 killed, 45 injured in explosion at fireworks unit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

8 killed, 45 injured in explosion at fireworks unit

L. Srikrishna

Negligence in handling chemicals resulted in the explosion

— Photo: K.Ganesan

Fire fighters at the accident site at Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district on Monday.

SIVAKASI: Eight persons were killed and 45 workers suffered burns in an explosion at a private fireworks manufacturing unit at Vadapatti near here on Monday.

Fire and Rescue Services Department officers said around 11 a.m. they received a call that there was a major accident at the Sri Krishna Fireworks.

Deputy Director (Fire Services) M. Shahul Hameed, who supervised the operations, with his team of officers described the fire as “major.” It took about three hours to put out the flames. At the time of the accident, at least 200 to 225 workers were on the campus. “We recovered three bodies from the spot,” he said.

Out of the 65 sheds (each measuring about 300 square feet) at least 25 were fully damaged and seven were partially damaged. The fire officers said that the manufacturer had licence to produce fireworks. Though the sheds had been constructed as per norms, negligence in handling chemicals resulted in the explosion.

Another officer said that five fire tenders, 50 fire fighters and as many as 15 water tankers from different parts of the district were pressed into service.

Narrating the incident, some of the workers who escaped with minor injuries and were admitted to Government Hospital here, said that explosion occurred while handling the chemicals. “Within a few minutes, we saw some rocket crackers flying from the drying platforms and hitting all the sheds.”

Inspector General of Police (south zone) S.S. Krishnamoorthy, DIG of Police (Madurai Range) P. Balasubramanian and Madurai SP M. Manohar holding additional charge as Virudhunagar SP visited the spot. The Revenue Divisional Officer Kasiviswanathan and a team of officials conducted a probe.

The injured were admitted to various private hospitals and Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and at Government Hospital, Sivakasi, officials said. The Thiruthangal police have registered a case.

State Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu arrived in Madurai from Chennai and enquired about the condition of the injured admitted to different hospitals. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ramachandran said that on information about the accident, the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, directed them to immediately visit the victims and provide all assistance.

They also visited the injured at the Sivakasi Government Hospital.

Two taken into custody

Meanwhile, supervisor and foreman of the Sri Krishna Fireworks were taken into custody for interrogation.

Superintendent of Police M. Manohar said cases under IPC Sections (286, 337, 338, 304) and Explosives Act had been registered.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu