Sivakasi Illegal Clandestine Lab Blast Fatality Count Reaches Five
The death toll from a Sunday explosion at an unauthorized fireworks facility in Sengamalapatti has risen to five. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directed immediate safety inspections across the district following the tragedy.
Fatalities Confirmed After Clandestine Unit Explosion
The death toll from Sunday’s blast at an unauthorized fireworks operation in Sengamalapatti has climbed to five following the death of R. Ramachandran. Ramachandran, the last survivor of the initial blast, died from severe burns while receiving treatment at Virudhunagar Government Medical College Hospital.
First responders and police personnel recovered organic remains scattered across a 30-meter radius of the explosion site. Forensic evaluation of these fragments at the hospital confirmed they belonged to three separate individuals, assisting in the final identification of the victims. Authorities have named the deceased as:
- Ram Prakash (brother of R. Ramachandran, killed instantly)
- S. Innasimuthu (44)
- M. Pandithurai
- S. Ayyaparaja
State Response and Safety Directives
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay issued a formal statement of condolence for the families of the victims. He sanctioned a payment of ₹4 lakh to each bereaved family, drawn from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. In response to the discovery of the illegal operation, the Chief Minister ordered the Virudhunagar Collector to initiate a comprehensive audit of the district to identify and shut down any other unlicensed pyrotechnic facilities.
Source: The Hindu — Cities
