Tamil Nadu: Firecracker factory explosion kills 10, including owner in Cuddalore, CM announces relief

The firecracker factory explosion happened at Kurungudi village in Kattumannarkoil killing at least 10 people.

Cuddalore: In an unfortunate incident, at least ten people of a firecracker factory were killed after an explosion at its unit in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Friday (September 4).

Seven of the deceased are women, including the factory owner Gandhimathi, the police said.

The factory is located in Kattumannarkoil town of the district, 190 km from the state capital Chennai. The intensity of the blast was such that it completely damaged and brought down the structure.

Police and firefighters were rushed to the accident site and a probe has been launched to find out what caused the explosion.

Chief minister K Palaniswami, who expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to them.

The chief minister said, "Hearing the news about the death of seven women in the blast is distressing. I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families."

He said he had directed Industries minister MC Sampath and the district collector to ensure appropriate treatment to the injured and also visit the grieving families. DMK president and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly MK Stalin and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder TTV Dhinakaran also expressed grief over the incident.