Two women workers were killed in a blast at a private firecracker unit in Nagadasampatti village in Papparapatti in Dharmapuri district on Thursday. A third male worker was grievously injured.
The accident occurred in the forenoon of Thursday, in the unit owned by R. Saravanan of Nagadasampatti. According to the police, the small unit, about 15 feet by 15 feet, with a cement roof, was engaged in firecracker making all round the year, to supply for temple festivals and wedding festivities.
The fire was caused by friction when the workers were working with an inflammable chemical at the workstation of one of the workers, leading to the blast. Two women K. Muniammal (65) of Nagadasampatti village and B. Palaniammal (50) of Mecheri in Salem, were killed in the accident.
The third victim, P. Sivalingam suffered grievous injuries. A fourth worker, Chinna Ponnu, had a miraculous escape due to working outside the room at that point. The unit was a functioning with a valid licence, according to sources.
TN CM condoles, announces solatium
Condoling the deaths, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a solatium of ₹3 lakh each to the families of the two deceased women, and ₹1 lakh to the family of the grievously injured man.