Four killed in blast at Tamil Nadu firecracker unit

Varaganur: An unusual blast of explosives at a firecracker unit Varaganur in Nellai, Tamil Nadu, killed four people including three women and six were injured. The deceased were identified as C Neethiraj, 50,  K Kasthuri, 45, A Krishnammal, 55 and G. Mariammal, 45, of Varaganur. The flames engulfed the unit within seconds triggering a blast, which killed all four workers on the spot.

The police said the fire broke out in the fancy firecracker unit at Varaganur near Guganpaarai under the Thiruvenkatam police station limits around 1.45 pm on Friday. 

Two sports utility vehicles, a van and a bike were also destroyed. Workers in the nearby sheds ran for safety. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the blast and announced a relief of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the victims. And Rs 50,000 was announced for seriously injured victims and Rs 25,000 was announced for the those who suffered minor injuries.