Two workers die in separate accidents at firecracker units in Virudhunagar district

An explosion occurred at a fireworks unit at Koonampatti near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district and claimed the lives of one worker on September 3, 2026 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In two separate accidents reported at two fireworks units in Virudhunagar district, two workers died on the spot and many workers, including women, suffered burn injuries were rushed to government hospitals on Thursday (September 3, 2026).In the first incident, a fire was reported at Karishma fireworks, a unit located at Koonampatti near Srivilliputtur around 10 a.m., following which two fire tenders from Srivilliputtur rushed to the spot. The factory, owned by P. Santhanapandian, has a DRO licence and had engaged over 15 workers. It is said that some of the workers were handling ‘chakkar’ varieties of crackers when they suddenly caught fire.Preliminary reports suggested that at least two sheds out of seven were completely destroyed in the impact, while the rest suffered damages.In the powerful blast, a worker identified as C. Sakthivel (55) of Ceylon Colony, Ayyampatti, died on the spot. The police identified the injured worker as K. Kaliraj (50). He was rushed to a government hospital for treatment. The Malli police have registered a case. The firefighters took about 90 minutes to put out the flames. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.In the second incident reported around 11.30 a.m., the Virudhunagar district police informed that fire broke out at a fireworks unit at Meenampatti village, near Sivakasi, in which a worker was killed and a few others, including women, suffered injuries. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Published - September 03, 2026 03:54 pm IST