A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district has left at least nine people dead and numerous others injured.

Eyewitnesses recount the sheer force of the blast, which obliterated not only the factory but also four adjacent buildings in the vicinity.

The factory, owned by an individual named Vijay, was nestled in the Vembakottai area of the district. Prompt response from local law enforcement and fire department teams saw the injured swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

According to authorities, seven individuals lost their lives on-site, while two more succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital.

Preliminary findings point to the accident originating from a chemical mixing room within the factory premises, highlighting potential lapses in safety protocols.

As investigations unfold, authorities are delving deeper into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

This incident casts a grim reminder of a similar catastrophe last year, where eight lives were lost and numerous others injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Krishnagiri, underscoring the pressing need for stringent safety measures within such establishments.

Toxic Dye Alert: Tamil Nadu Health Deptt Bans Cotton Candy Sales