Madurai: In a major explosion, five persons were killed and more than 10 people sustained injuries in a blast in a private firecracker unit in Alagusirai village near Thirumangalam in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

Police, while writing this report, have confirmed the death of 5 workers, while the actual number of people working when the blast took place is yet to be ascertained.

Reports suggest more than 15 people were engaged in manufacturing crackers at the unit. The reason for the explosion is unknown.

Police and fire service and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Thirumangalam Government Hospital from where they were later referred to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH).

Based on the alert, the officials from the district administration, TN fire and rescue service, and police departments rushed to the spot and started the rescue operations, The New Indian Express reported.

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P Moorthy, and Collector Dr S Aneesh Sekhar visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs five lakh each to the families of the victims and directed that those who have suffered injuries should be given special treatment at the Government Rajaji Medical College Hospital.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed profound grief over the accident and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

தமிழக ஆளுநர் திரு.ஆர்.என்.ரவி, அவர்கள் மதுரை பட்டாசு ஆலையில் ஏற்பட்ட விபத்தில் மதிப்புமிக்க உயிர்களை இழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பங்களுக்கு ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொண்டார் . மேலும், விபத்த்தில் காயமடைந்தவர்கள் விரைவில் குணமடைய பிரார்த்திக்கிறேன் என ஆளுநர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்

— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) November 10, 2022