2 women workers die in explosion at Firecracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar, TN

Two women workers died in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred during the afternoon.

Chennai, July 25 (BPNS)

Two women workers died in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred during the afternoon. The deceased are identified as Murugeswari and Banu. Police said that the explosion occurred due to friction when the two women workers were handling the explosive material for making the firecrackers and roll caps.

Virudhunagar police and fire and rescue services reached the spot and conducted rescue operations.

It may be noted that Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu is the firecracker capital of South India. The industry is employing 8 lakh workers and has an annual turnover of Rs 6000 crores.

The industry is now turning into international markets hitherto dominated by the Chinese firecracker industry. However Chinese fireworks industry is huge with an export turnover of Rs 26000 crore annually and Sivakasi is turning green to tap the market.