Four die in cracker unit mishap near Sattur in TN

Virudhunagar: Four workers were killed and another person was injured on Saturday following an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit near here, police said.

The workers were killed on the spot and the cause for the explosion and blaze is suspected to be mishandling the chemical ingredients, the raw materials, that go into the making of firecrackers, a senior district police official said.

Another person who was in the vicinity was injured and buildings –rooms earmarked for specific tasks involved in manufacturing processes– have suffered damage, he added.

According to sources, the incident occurred in the morning at Guru star Fireworks when the employees were mixing chemicals. During the mixing, an explosion occurred and four workers identified as Marisami, Ramkumar, Mohan and Selvakumar died on the spot. Fire and Rescue Service personnel from Elayirampannai rushed to the spot and are dousing the fire.

“It is a DRO-licensed unit, owned by Sagadevan, an Achankulam resident,” sources said.

The unit has around 15 rooms and atleast three rooms were gutted in fire due to the incident. Sattur Taluk police and officials from Revenue Department has reached the spot and has started investigation.