At least 23 people, including women workers, were killed in an explosion at a private firecracker manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti, Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district, on Sunday.
A fire department official said about 30 workers were at the unit when the incident occurred at around 3:30 pm on Sunday.
The blast occurred on the front veranda of the firecracker factory 'Vanaja' fireworks, causing severe damage and reducing at least three rooms to rubble.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the deaths, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Stalin instructed the district administration to coordinate necessary assistance and sent ministers to monitor the rescue operations.
