Worker killed in explosion at firecracker unit in TN

Virudhunagar (TN), Jul 6 (PTI) A worker was killed and five others were injured in an explosion on Sunday at a firecracker manufacturing unit near here, police said.

In this connection, a factory foreman has been arrested, they said.

The explosion at the fireworks unit in Keelathayilpatti village is suspected to have been triggered due to "friction" between chemicals during the manufacturing process, a police official said.

A worker aged about 50 years was killed and five others sustained injuries, the official said, adding the injured have been rushed to a hospital.

Expressing shock, Chief Minister MK Stalin conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased and ordered authorities to ensure special care to the injured workers.

In an official release, the CM announced Rs 4 lakh solatium to the family of the deceased worker. Also, he declared an assistance of Rs 1 lakh to a severely injured worker and Rs 50,000 each to others who sustained non-grievous injuries.

The deceased worker was identified as M Balagurusamy, belonging to Thiruthangal in Sivakasi. PTI VGN VGN KH