Eight dead, nine injured after fireworks factory blast in India
23 March 2020
An explosion at a fireworks factory killed eight people and injured nine others on March 20. The incident occurred near Sattur in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
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Workers were thought to be handling chemicals to be used in firecrackers when the blast occurred. There were around 30 people working in the unit at the time.
The blast caused a fire which spread to several other units on the site. Although the factory was licensed to make fireworks, local media reported that the unit where the blast occurred did not have the necessary permit to allow workers to handle chemicals for firecrackers.
Police have opened an investigation into the incident.
Explosions are common in illegal firecracker workshops, particularly during festivals which create large demand for fireworks. Many of these factories do not adhere to basic safety requirements and operate without permits.
In September 2019, 22 people were killed and 20 more injured after an explosion occurred at a firecracker unit in India's northern state of Punjab.
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