At least three people, including a child, were killed in an explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing factory in Tamil Nadu this morning. Two of the dead were women.
Two others have also been reported to be injured in the incident at the firecracker manufacturing unit in Thaiyilpatti near Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district, about 500 km from state capital Chennai.
Sivakasi is a huge cracker manufacturing hub in Tamil Nadu.
Firecracker manufacturing units there employed thousands of workers before being hit by 2018 Supreme Court ruling on pollution. Following the order, many producers have switched to manufacturing the "green crackers" after receiving training and assistance from the government.
In the past, firecracker manufacturing units in Sivakasi supplied 90-95 percent of India's firecrackers, generating revenues of around $800 million.
(Further details awaited)
8 Killed In Explosion At Fireworks Factory Near Sivakasi In Tamil Nadu 7 Killed In Blast At Firecracker Factory In UP's Kaushambi 4 Killed In Explosion At Firecracker Factory In Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms "Assassination Attempt Has Sealed The Election": Trump's Close Aide Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader 3 People Die After Drowning In Lake In Telangana: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.