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At least 25 people have been killed and four others seriously injured following a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, reports bdnews24.com, citing BBC.
On Sunday evening, the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Virudhunagar was rocked by a blast while around 50 workers were inside the premises, the UK-based broadcaster said, citing officials.
A second explosion during rescue operations left 13 more people injured, though none sustained serious burns, District Collector NO Sukhaputra told ANI News Agency.
The cause of the blast remains unclear, and an investigation is underway.
An injured witness told BBC Tamil that about 25 workers had been in a veranda in front of the factory when the fire broke out, damaging at least three rooms and leaving parts of the building in rubble.
Rescue efforts were slowed by firecrackers continuing to detonate inside the premises, though operations have now concluded.
Police have filed a case against the factory owner and foreman, both of whom are on the run.
Four special teams have been formed to track them down.
Officials said efforts are ongoing to identify the victims, with 22 of the 25 dead already identified, most of them women.
District officials said the factory held a valid licence but was not supposed to be operating on Sunday, calling it a “first violation”, as per the BBC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply distressing” and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the deaths had caused “immense sorrow” and directed officials to provide all necessary assistance.