3 injured due to explosion at Sivakasi firecracker unit

Three people including a woman suffered serious burn injuries in a minor explosion at Ayyans firework unit in Subramaniyapuram, Sivakasi taluk on Tuesday (October 22) afternoon.

The explosion took place due to friction caused while mixing powdered chemicals.

The incident had supposedly taken place at 1 pm. When G Ganesan (38) of Thiruvengadapuram, R Muruga Saraswathi of Alangulam and Sudha (32) of Watrap were mixing chemicals to make fireworks at the firecracker unit, a minor explosion occurred due to the friction created and a fire broke out.

Out of the three, Ganesan was injured the worst and sustained over 50% burn injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Madurai. The other two were taken to a private hospital nearby in Sivakasi.

Also read: TN: Six killed in firecracker unit blast

Meanwhile, fire and rescue personnel were alerted and they put out the fire at the accident spot. Maraneri (a village in Sivakasi) police have filed a case and are probing the matter.

Maraneri police inspector Atheeswaran said that the accident occurred due to the friction caused when employees were handling chemicals for manufacturing firecrackers.

Officials in the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Sivakasi were informed about the issue and are investigating the matter.

An official at PESO who did not want to be named said that the incident was similar to what happened at Sri Ravindra Fireworks in Alamarathupatti village, Sivakasi.

Also read: Fearing SC crackdown, TN firecracker makers avoid supply to Delhi

“The manufacturers might have been using the chemical formulation that was recommended by the CSIR-NEERI but not approved by the PESO. We have warned several firecracker manufacturing units not to proceed without proper approval since it is not safe,” the official said.

Meanwhile, sources in PESO privy to the developments told The Federal that the PESO has suspended the license of numerous firecracker manufacturers in Sivakasi, including a few top-branded firecracker manufacturers.

“Standard fireworks was inspected soon after the union government launched green crackers. First, they were asked for an explanation regarding as many as 26 violations. Since they did not provide a proper explanation, the license was suspended for them,” sources said.