Seven killed in TN fireworks unit blast

With the death of two more workers, the number of people killed in a blast at a fireworks unit in Madurai has risen to seven. All the victims were women. The blast occurred when explosive ingredients were being transported for the manufacturing purposes. At the time of the blast five workers were charred to death and five others sustained injuries. Of the five injured, two women, who fought severe burn injuries, meanwhile, died without responding to treatment at a hospital, police said, adding the manager of the private unit has been arrested. A probe has also been ordered. An office-bearer of a Sivakasi based association of firecracker unit workers, Karmegam Pandian, alleged that several units functioned without proper licence and did not follow mandated safety measures to avoid mishaps.