9 dead, several injured in explosion at TN firecracker unit

Tamil Nadu: Nine people were killed and 12 others sustained severe injuries in a major explosion at a firecracker unit in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram on Wednesday. Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his sympathies to the kin of the deceased and announced that the government would provide relief of Rs 3 lakh to each of the nine families.

In a statement in Chennai, he also announced aid of Rs one lakh each for those severely injured in the fire accident.

Police said that when workers were engaged in processes related to the manufacturing and storage of the firecrackers, there was an explosion, which started a fire. Nine workers died and 12 others were injured in the blaze.

The building that housed the manufacturing-cum-storage facility collapsed in the impact of the explosion. Three of the dead are yet to be identified.

The cause of the accident is being investigated and violations have been identified, police said. The injured are being treated in various hospitals, they added.

(With inputs from PTI)