By Admin 
- A day before, tourist van fell into a ditch, 9 killed.
News of a major accident has come to light for the second consecutive day in Tamil Nadu before the assembly elections to be held on Thursday (April 23, 2026) this week. A major explosion took place in a firecracker factory in Kattanarpatti in Virudhunagar district of the state on Sunday (April 19, 2026). Local police said that at least 23 laborers working in the factory died in this incident and many others were also injured.
After the news of this incident came to light, State Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed condolences to the families of those who died and has also instructed the officials to ensure necessary help.
Death toll in the incident may increase: Police
A district police officer said that so far we have recovered 19 bodies. We fear that the number may increase even more. According to the report of news agency PTI, when the fire broke out in the firecracker factory, about 30 workers were working there. Police said that due to the impact of this blast, some parts of the building collapsed and in the massive fire that followed, the entire factory was burnt to ashes.
Second blast occurred during rescue work– District Collector
Meanwhile, Virudhunagar District Collector Dr. NO Sukhputra said, ‘So far 23 people have died in this incident. Out of these 23 dead bodies, 19 bodies have been identified. Of these, 16 are women and three are men, while six injured are in ICU. He said that while we were doing rescue work, the second explosion occurred. As a result, about 13 people including the police, our fire and rescue team, the revenue department team and volunteers engaged in rescue operations are admitted to the hospital. At present no one is seriously injured and our medical team is treating them.
He said, ‘A senior IAS officer has been appointed to help the district administration and monitor rescue and other operations. We have registered an FIR. The investigation is ongoing.
Also read: Tamil Nadu Accident: Horrific accident in Tamil Nadu, tourist van fell into a deep gorge, 9 people died, PM Modi expressed grief.
Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed grief over the incident
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed deep condolences to the families of those who died in this major accident. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also directed the district administration officials to ensure all necessary help. He has also directed ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to reach the spot and monitor the relief and rescue operations.
on social media CM Stalin shared the post
Chief Minister Stalin shared information about this incident by making a post on social media platform X. He said, ‘The sad news of the death of many people in the explosion in the firecracker factory at Kattanarpatti in Virudhunagar district is very painful. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. He said, ‘I have instructed District Collector NO Sukhaputra to ensure all necessary assistance.’
The tragic news of several deaths in the tobacco plant accident in Virudhu Nagar district is extremely saddening. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.
Monitor the recovery operations carefully and console the affected families…
— MKStalin April 19, 2026
A day before, 9 people died in a road accident.
For the second consecutive day, people have lost their lives in a horrific accident in Tamil Nadu. A day earlier on Saturday (April 18, 2026), a tourist van fell into a ditch in Valparai in the state. In this tragic accident, 9 people died and many people were seriously injured. PM Modi has expressed grief over this incident.
Also read: Women Reservation: ‘Tamil Nadu defeated Delhi’s arrogance’, Stalin said when women reservation bill was not passed in Lok Sabha