The Hindu : Front Page : 16 die in cracker unit blast near Madurai

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Wednesday, Jul 08, 2009
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16 die in cracker unit blast near Madurai

D. Karthikeyan

— Photo: G. Moorthy

RAZED: The fireworks unit at Vadakkampatti near Karumathur in Madurai district where the explosion took place on Tuesday.

MADURAI: Sixteen persons, including children, were killed in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit at Vadakkampatti in Madurai district on Tuesday night.

Fourteen persons, including the wife and mother of the owner of the factory, were killed on the spot and two others succumbed to injuries at Government Rajaji Hospital. Three buildings, used as a manufacturing unit and godowns, were completely damaged in the impact of the blast.

About 80 persons were working on the last shift at V. B. M. Fireworks when the explosion took place. A huge ball of fire engulfed the building immediately after the explosion.

The children who died worked at the unit after school hours.

Trees around the unit also bore the brunt of the blast and one of them was uprooted. Fire tenders from Usilampatti struggled for hours to put out the flames at around 10 p.m.Charred bodies had to be extricated from the debris. Limbs and bricks were found strewn around. Ten ambulances were utilised to shift the injured to Government Rajaji Hospital here.

According to one version, the explosion was triggered while finished goods were being stacked by workers. But Muthupandi of Karumathur said the blast occurred while fireworks were being tested. N. Mokkaiyan of Vadakkampatti said that it was a big blast and they were able to feel a tremor.

Police personnel drawn from Madurai, Usilampatti, Tirumangalam, Sholavandan and Perayur were involved in the rescue work. They also searched for bodies in the nearby maize fields.

Collector N. Mathivanan said rescue work started immediately on hearing the news of the blast and adequate medical assistance was provided to the injured.

Superintendent of Police (Madurai Rural) M. Manohar said efforts were made to establish the identity of the deceased using the attendance register.

The workers were from 10 villages around Karumathur, including Pillaya Konampatti, Karisalpatti, Vadakkampatti, Poolathupatti and Kalungapatti.

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