23 dead in blast at firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu firecracker unit blast: A preliminary probe suggested that the factory was operating in violation of regulations by functioning on Sunday, a designated rest day. Four special teams have been constituted to trace and apprehend those responsible.

In Short

• Explosion occurred in Kattanarpatti village, fire under control
• Rescue operations ongoing, injured taken to hospital
• Virudhunagar has seen multiple firecracker mishaps recently

At least 23 people were killed and six injured in a blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti village in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district. The fire has since been brought under control.

Virudhunagar District Collector Dr N.O. Sukhaputra said that 19 bodies have been identified so far, including 16 women and three men. He added that 13 people involved in the rescue operations have been hospitalised with minor injuries. Six of the injured are currently in the ICU, he said.

“A senior IAS officer has been appointed to assist the district administration and oversee rescue and related operations. An FIR has been registered, and an investigation into the exact cause of the accident is underway,” he said.

A preliminary probe suggested that the factory was operating in violation of regulations by functioning on Sunday, a designated rest day. Four special teams have been constituted to trace and apprehend those responsible.

Meanwhile, political leaders cutting across party lines condoled the deaths.

PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu called the mishap "deeply distressing" and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too expressed similar sentiments.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, on the other hand, instructed authorities to provide necessary assistance to the victims. Following Stalin's orders, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu reached the village to monitor the relief efforts.

Virudhunagar, a major hub for the manufacturing of firecrackers, has seen several fire mishaps in the last few years.

On April 13, 2026, a massive explosion occurred at an Excel fireworks factory in Madathupatti near Sattur in Virudhunagar district.

On February 17, 2024, a fire broke out after an explosion at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, killing ten people and injuring more than seven others. On June 29, 2024, an explosion at another firecracker unit resulted in four deaths and left one person injured.

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