At least 25 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with four others seriously injured.
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Virudhunagar on Sunday evening. The factory was supposed to be closed, but about 50 workers were inside at the time, officials said.
A second explosion occurred while rescue operations were ongoing, injuring 13 more people, though none sustained serious burns, according to District Collector NO Sukhaputra.
The cause of the blast is currently unknown, and investigations are underway.
An eyewitness, who is being treated for injuries, stated that around 25 people were working in the veranda in front of the factory when the fire broke out, damaging at least three rooms and reducing parts of the building to rubble.
Rescue operations were significantly hindered as firecrackers continued to explode inside the building.
A complaint has been filed against the factory owner and foreman, both of whom are currently missing, with authorities setting up special teams to trace and arrest them.
Efforts to identify the victims continued Monday, with 22 out of the 25 deceased identified, most of whom were women. Some reports indicated the force of the explosion left certain bodies charred beyond recognition.
Fireworks factory accidents in India are not uncommon, with the industry facing scrutiny over safety standards.
The factory supplies firecrackers for weddings, festivals, and other ceremonies and has been previously criticized for its adherence to safety regulations.
Questions regarding possible safety violations have arisen as the investigation is ongoing.
District collector Sukhaputra mentioned that the factory should not have been operating on a Sunday, marking it as a first violation. He clarified that while the factory held a valid license, inquiries into other potential violations were in progress.
The tragedy elicited swift responses from political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as deeply distressing and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that the deaths caused immense sorrow and instructed officials to provide all necessary assistance.
