10 people, including four women, died in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu on Saturday. State Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has instructed two ministers of the state to coordinate rescue and relief activities. The Chief Minister said that ten people, including six men and four women, were killed in a sudden explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kundayiruppu village of Vembakottai.

According to the official release, Stalin has directed state Revenue Minister KKSR Ramachandran and Labor Minister CV Ganesan to immediately reach the spot and ensure rescue and relief activities. Expressing grief over the accident, the Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families. He has ordered a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the seriously injured.

According to the information, this accident occurred at around 12:30 pm on Saturday in the chemical mixing room of the firecracker manufacturing factory located in the village. Virudhunagar District Magistrate V.P. Jayaseelan said, “Initially, nine people were killed in the blast and three seriously injured people were taken to the government hospital in Sivakasi for treatment.”

He said that preliminary investigation has revealed that there was overcrowding in the chemical mixing room and it is feared that due to this the explosion might have occurred while mixing the chemicals. According to the District Magistrate, the factory owner had a license. When asked how the explosion occurred, the District Magistrate replied, 'It could have happened due to human error. We have ordered an inter-departmental team to investigate.