Firework factory blast kills five in Southern India
30 April 2013
On April 28 a blast near Sivakasi in a factory owned by S S Vijayakumar, president of the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association, killed at least five workers and injured seven.
The blast occurred while 12 contract workers were mixing hazardous chemicals under a tree within the factory premises. They were working outside as all rooms in the factory were shut since it was Sunday.
Apparently friction during the handling of the chemicals triggered a fire, which quickly spread causing the blast.
The cracker and firework industry is poorly regulated in India and leads to many deaths and injuries every year, particularly in the run-up to public festivals when the fireworks are used in great quantities.