Two workers were killed after a powerful explosion triggered a major fire at a licensed fireworks manufacturing unit near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district on Thursday, officials said. The incident occurred at a factory in Namaskarithanpatti while workers were engaged in production activities. The blast caused a fire to spread across parts of the premises, sending thick smoke into the air and creating panic in the surrounding area.

The two workers sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, while their identities were not immediately disclosed. There was no immediate confirmation of any additional casualties. Fire and Rescue Services personnel reached the factory after receiving information about the incident and began efforts to contain the blaze and cool the affected areas, amid concerns over explosive materials stored inside the premises.

Police and revenue officials also reached the site and secured the surrounding area to prevent residents and others from approaching the factory. A case was registered and an investigation launched into the circumstances that led to the explosion. Officials are expected to examine whether prescribed safety procedures were followed, how raw materials and finished fireworks were stored and whether manufacturing activities were being carried out in accordance with the conditions of the factory’s licence.

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The exact cause of Thursday’s blast has not yet been established. Investigators will examine the factory’s operations and safety arrangements to determine whether negligence, improper handling of materials or any violation of regulations contributed to the accident. Authorities are also expected to assess the extent of damage to the premises as part of the investigation.

The deaths have once again drawn attention to safety concerns in Virudhunagar, a major centre of Tamil Nadu’s fireworks industry. In April this year, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar killed at least 25 workers. In July, three people were killed in an explosion at an alleged illegal fireworks unit in the district, according to reports.

The region has witnessed several other fatal fireworks accidents in recent years. Ten workers were killed in an explosion at Ramuthevanpatti in February 2024, while another blast near Sivakasi in May that year claimed 10 lives and an accident near Sattur in June killed four workers. One of the region’s deadliest incidents occurred near Sivakasi in September 2012, when 40 people were killed and more than 70 injured. The repeated accidents have renewed demands for stronger inspections, stricter enforcement of safety standards and tighter controls on fireworks manufacturing and chemical handling.

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