MarieDevore at 16:59, 25 April 2026

2026-04-25T16:59:19Z

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{{Short description|2024 accident in Thane, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox disaster
| date = {{start date|df=y|2024|2|17}} <br/> {{start date|df=y|2024|6|29}}
| location = [[Virudhunagar district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| cause = [[List of fireworks accidents and incidents|Fireworks explosion]]
| reported deaths = 14
| reported injuries = 8+
}}

On 17 February 2024, a fire broke out following an [[fireworks accident|explosion at a firecracker]] factory in [[Virudhunagar district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. Ten people were killed and more than seven were injured. On 29 June 2024, another explosion at a different fire cracker unit near [[Sattur]], resulted in four deaths and one injury.

== Background ==
[[Virudhunagar district]] is a major centre for [[fire cracker]] with nearly 90% of the fire cracker production of the country manufactured here. The firecracker units are located in rural areas, employ cheap local labour and often do not follow safety norms. Several accidents have been reported due to mishandling of chemicals and poor safety norms.<ref name="DH"/><ref name="IE"/>

== Incidents ==
At 12:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] 17 February 2024, an explosion at a fire cracker manufacturing unit at Ramuthevanpatti village in Virudhunagar district, [[Tamil Nadu]]. The factory was involved in the production of [[fire crackers]] and the inflammable chemicals, resulted in a fire and further explosions. The fire started in the chemical mixing room and spread to nearby areas, resulting in the explosion. Ten people were killed and more than seven were injured in the explosion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fireworks-factory-explosion-near-tamil-nadu-sattur/article67857598.ece|title=10 dead, six injured in blast at fireworks unit in Tamil Nadu’s Sattur|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 February 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=30 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430151257/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fireworks-factory-explosion-near-tamil-nadu-sattur/article67857598.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IE">{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/mishap-tn-fireworks-factory-9166740/|title=10 die in TN cracker unit blast, official points to ‘human error’|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=17 February 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=15 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315223459/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/mishap-tn-fireworks-factory-9166740/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 June 2024, a similar explosion at a fire cracker unit near [[Sattur]] resulted in a fire, that killed four people and injured one. The fire started when chemicals used in the manufacture ignited.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/four-workers-killed-in-explosion-at-tamil-nadu-fireworks-unit/articleshow/111357770.cms?from=mdr|title=Four workers killed in explosion at Tamil Nadu fireworks unit|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=29 June 2024|access-date=29 June 2024|archive-date=30 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630000135/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/four-workers-killed-in-explosion-at-tamil-nadu-fireworks-unit/articleshow/111357770.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/tamil-nadu-firecracker-manufacturing-unit-explosion-death-toll-virudhunagar-2560013-2024-06-29|title=Blast at Tamil Nadu firecracker factory, 4 killed, Chief Minister announces aid|work=[[NDTV]]|date=29 June 2024|access-date=29 June 2024|archive-date=30 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630000135/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/tamil-nadu-firecracker-manufacturing-unit-explosion-death-toll-virudhunagar-2560013-2024-06-29|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
[[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF), [[Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force]] (TNDRF) and [[Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services]] were involved in [[fire control]], search and rescue operations. The injured were rescued and treated in nearby hospitals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/four-workers-killed-in-blast-at-fireworks-units-near-sattur/article68347217.ece|title=Four workers killed in blast at fireworks unit near Sattur|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=29 June 2024|access-date=29 June 2024|archive-date=29 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629094911/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/four-workers-killed-in-blast-at-fireworks-units-near-sattur/article68347217.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]] [[M. K. Stalin]] announced an [[ex-gratia]] of {{INRconvert|300|k}} for the next of the kin who were killed.<ref name="DH">{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/explosion-at-firecracker-unit-in-tamil-nadus-virudhunagar-2899032|title=10 dead, 7 injured in explosion at firecracker unit in Tamil Nadu|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=17 February 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=29 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234445/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/explosion-at-firecracker-unit-in-tamil-nadus-virudhunagar-2899032|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-workers-killed-1-injured-in-firecracker-unit-blast-in-tamil-nadu-cops-5996611|title=4 Workers Killed, 1 Injured In Firecracker Unit Blast In Tamil Nadu: Cops|work=[[NDTV]]|date=29 June 2024|access-date=29 June 2024|archive-date=29 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629125537/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-workers-killed-1-injured-in-firecracker-unit-blast-in-tamil-nadu-cops-5996611|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Fireworks accidents and incidents}}
{{Disasters in India in 2024}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Virudhunagar explosions, 2024}}

[[Category:2024 disasters in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:February 2024 in India]]
[[Category:June 2024 in India]]
[[Category:Fireworks accidents and incidents in India]]
[[Category:Chemical disasters]]
[[Category:Explosions in 2024]]
[[Category:2024 industrial disasters]]
[[Category:2020s in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2024 fires in Asia]]
[[Category:Environmental disasters in India]]

2024 Virudhunagar explosions - Revision history

MarieDevore at 16:59, 25 April 2026