Tamil Nadu factory blast kills six workers; Probe underway | WATCH
National news: A deadly explosion at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, killed at least six workers. Meanwhile, a minor LPG tanker leak in Coimbatore caused some traffic disruptions but was quickly contained by emergency services.
National news: At least six workers were killed after a massive explosion occurred at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu on Saturday. It is suspected to have happened in the chemical mixing process, when it exploded and flattened at least one room in the facility. Authorities from the fire and rescue department immediately reached the site to control the situation. The explosion is said to be a shocker for the people in the community, and this is being investigated, and the correct cause of the blast is determined.
Cause of explosion
Early reports indicate the explosion occurred due to the mixing chemicals process at the firecracker factory. The blast took on a violent character, leading to heavy structural damage-the building reportedly collapsed at some junctures. Shortly after emergency services reacted on the scene, the possible extent of damage became obvious, after it was confirmed that at least six people had been killed. Officials have warned the toll could rise as rescue operations continue. Local authorities are investigating the explosion, suspecting mishandling or lack of proper safety precautions during the volatile mixing of chemicals.
Coimbatore LPG tanker catches a mishap
The tanker overturned en route, creating a minor leakage that disrupted the traffic.
Hours before the tragic explosion in Virudhunagar, Coimbatore witnessed a separate mishap when a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker overturned on the Avinashi Road flyover. The accident occurred in the early hours of Friday and led to a minor gas leak. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The LPG tanker had become detached from the truck while the driver was negotiating the flyover's roundabout, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Minor gas leak triggers precautionary measures in Coimbatore
After the LPG tanker rollover, Coimbatore's district collector, Kranthi Kumar Pati, confirmed that there was a minor gas leak. Authorities responded immediately by stopping all traffic in the area to prevent a major mishap. All schools within 500 meters to 1 kilometer of the accident site were closed for the day as a precaution. Fire and rescue personnel were on the site, spraying water to cool the tanker that was carrying 18 tonnes of LPG to a BPCL bottling plant in Coimbatore from Kerala's Kochi. The officials could prevent big explosions through alerts and timely evacuation of people in the vicinity, thus averting a potential calamity.
