TN explosion claims 18 lives
Thuraiyur: As many as 18 people were feared dead and eight others injured on Thursday morning when a high-intensity blast ripped through a private explosive manufacturing unit at Murungapatti near here, 50 km from Tiruchy, raising serious questions about safety measures adopted by such units.
As many as 18 people were feared dead and eight others injured on Thursday morning when a high-intensity blast ripped through a private explosive manufacturing unit at Murungapatti near here, 50 km from Tiruchy, raising serious questions about safety measures adopted by such units.
The explosion, cause of which is yet to be known, took place around 7.30 am as a group of 15 employees were coming out of Vetrivel Explosives unit after completing their night shift.
Another 15 people had just gone inside the unit for morning shift when the incident took place.
Ten fire tenders and several personnel from the fire department fought for several hours to douse the raging fire.
The explosion followed by a loud noise prompted villagers of Murungapatti rushed to the spot and helped police rescue the injured and rush them to hospital. Since fire engulfed the entire unit, most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition and efforts are on to identify them with the help of their relatives.
The explosion at the manufacturing unit spread to three godowns, where explosives have been stored, which were charred completely and thick smoke billowing out of the factory engulfed the entire area and near-by areas in Thuraiyur town. Waves from the explosion were felt till two km away.
Police and the fire department sources told this newspaper that the death toll might go up as a few employees who are admitted to government hospitals are stated to be in serious condition.
Tourism minister Vellamandi Natarajan, who visited the spot along with district collector K.S. Palanisamy, said that the Gov ernment would take steps to seal the company since prima facie it appears that safety precautions and rules and regulations were not followed.