SIVAKASI: 13 people including women lost their lives horrifically in two separate explosions that happened in Sivakasi on Tuesday. The tragic incident took place in Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. The accident took place in the firecracker factories at Kitchanaickenpatti and Rangapalayam.

The women workers were packing the firecracker in the warehouse when the explosion happened. According to details, the owner of the factory had acquired permission, from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), but he was not allowed to carry out packing works inside the factory as it was deemed dangerous. 12 women died brutally in the incident at Rangapalayam factory and the owner was arrested immediately and the license revoked. The fire force was quick with their service and was successful in dousing the fire in a short time. However, the people couldn’t be saved.

In another incident, one man died while mixing chemicals in a factory at Kitchanaickenpatti. A sudden explosion took place killing him instantly.

It is reported that the condition of three people is serious. The injured were admitted to the Government Hospital in Srivilliputhur. Chief Minister M K Stalin announced an ex gratia of three lakh rupees to the families of the deceased. Preparation of firecrackers is going on at a fast pace in various firecracker factories on the occasion of Diwali.

Last July, three people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory near Thayilpatti. 10 people also lost their lives in another blast in Ariyalur just 12 days back.