‘DEEPLY DISTRESSING’

Explosion at Fireworks Factory Leaves at Least 25 Dead

Police said the site owner and the foreman both fled the scene and are now the focus of a manhunt.

At least 25 people died following an explosion at a fireworks factory in India on Sunday. Four others were also gravely injured at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Kattanarpatti, near Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu state. Between 50 and 100 people were at the factory when the explosion tore through several structures. Police told The Independent that the site owner and the foreman both fled and are now the focus of a manhunt. A second explosion also rocked the factory as first responders were trying to clear rubble. Four firefighters and six police officers were injured as a result. Though an official cause of the blasts has not yet been released, The Independent reports employees were mixing chemicals despite the fact that the facility was supposed to be closed. Additionally, the chemicals were reportedly mixed during hours when such work is not allowed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “deeply distressing.” Another political leader in the country, Ravula Sridhar Reddy, called the situation “a complete security collapse.” This is not the first deadly blast at a fireworks factory in India. An explosion at a different factory in 2012 resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people.