Blast in Thoothukudi Firecracker Unit Kills Manager, Several Blocks Destroyed

A massive explosion at a Karuppur village firecracker unit in Thoothukudi killed the unit manager, destroying multiple blocks and vehicles; CM Stalin announces compensation.

Firecracker unit explosion in Thoothukudi claims one life, razes multiple buildings and vehicles, triggering an official probe.

Blast in Thoothukudi Firecracker Unit Kills Manager, Several Blocks Destroyed

A devastating explosion in a firecracker manufacturing unit at Karuppur village near Ettayapuram in Thoothukudi district claimed the life of its manager on Friday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. when a fire, allegedly set to dry thorny bushes in the area, spread rapidly to the unit and triggered a powerful blast. Sources said that while most workers managed to escape after being alerted, the manager, V. Kandasamy (57), of Virushanatham near Sivakasi, was killed in the explosion.

The blast destroyed four blocks of the unit and gutted several vehicles, including a car, two jeeps, and multiple two-wheelers. The fire also spread to an unused poultry farm and a nearby firecracker unit, reducing them to ashes. Fire personnel from Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, and Sattur rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control.

Senior officials, including Vilathikulam MLA G.V. Markandeyan and Ettayapuram Thasildar Subha, inspected the site. Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and announced a solatium of ₹4 lakh to the victim’s kin.

Authorities are expected to tighten safety checks on firecracker units in the region, which has a long history of accidents linked to the industry.