At least five people were killed and several others seriously injured in a devastating explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Chinnakamanpatti, near Sivakasi, on June 30.
According to Virudhunagar District Superintendent of Police Kannan, four people were confirmed dead on the spot, while five others sustained severe injuries in the blast. The injured victims were immediately rushed to Virudhunagar Government Hospital for treatment.
The explosion reportedly occurred during routine operations at the unit, but the exact cause of the blast is still under investigation. SP Kannan stated that further details would be shared following a preliminary inquiry.
Massive Blast in Firecracker Unit | Tamil Nadu
At least 5 people, including a woman, killed in a powerful explosion at a fireworks factory in Sivakasi. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the site as crackers kept bursting inside. Several severely injured have been rescued so… pic.twitter.com/hlpFeP81mG
— Pinky Rajpurohit 🇮🇳 (@Madrassan_Pinky) July 1, 2025
Close on the heels of last year’s deadly explosion in Sivakasi that claimed ten lives, a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) team, acting on the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), inspected the same unit and uncovered a range of serious safety and regulatory violations.
Although the factory was licensed to produce only sound-emitting firecrackers, the CPCB found that it was illegally manufacturing fancy firecrackers without the required structural facilities in place.
The inspection also revealed that, due to space constraints, the unit owners were storing raw materials in open areas and between sheds, in direct violation of safety norms. The CPCB report flagged this lack of adequate storage space as a key contributor to the unsafe working conditions inside the factory, raising concerns about recurring lapses in enforcement and compliance.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu: An explosion at the Gokulesh Fireworks Factory in Chinnakamanpatti, near Sivakasi, in the Virudhunagar district on Tuesday morning killed five workers. Four other workers were injured in the incident. Relief and rescue operations underway.#TamilNaduNews… pic.twitter.com/oBLj2RXSIt
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 1, 2025
A critical safety lapse involving the improper handling of colour pellets—known to be chemically unstable and prone to spontaneous decomposition—has emerged as a key concern in the aftermath of the Sivakasi firecracker unit explosion on July 1. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the pellets were being dried under direct sunlight rather than in shaded areas, significantly increasing the risk of ignition.
The explosion, which occurred during working hours, set off a chain of secondary blasts, sending thick smoke and flames across the area. Locals reported that workers had little time to escape as the fire spread rapidly through the factory premises.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and faced immense challenges in controlling the blaze due to ongoing explosions from leftover firecrackers, which complicated both rescue and containment operations. Several workers were seriously injured, and rescue teams continue to search the site.
While early reports suggest multiple safety violations, officials have stated that the exact cause of the blast will be determined following a detailed investigation. District authorities and forensic teams have visited the site to collect samples and examine structural conditions.
On June 12, 2025, a blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Vadakarai village, near Aruppukottai, claimed the lives of three people, including a woman, and left three others injured. The incident is the latest in a series of fatal accidents in the region.
Sivakasi, often referred to as the “Fireworks Capital of India” and “Little Japan”, is responsible for nearly 90 per cent of the country’s firecracker production, with around 8,000 factories in operation. The industry provides employment to approximately 8 lakh people, making it India’s largest fireworks manufacturing hub. However, the recurring accidents have raised serious concerns about safety compliance and regulatory oversight in the sector.
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