A small explosion at Supreme Fireworks near Sivakasi on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, killed two workers and seriously injured two others.

Police identified the deceased as P. Mariappan (43) and P. Muthu Murugan (40) from Chidambarapuram. The injured are C. Saroja (52) from Chithamanaickanpatti and K. Sankaravelu (53) from Sevalur.

The explosion came just two months after 10 workers were killed and 13 others injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in May.

Police said the workers were pushing a small cart of chemicals from the chemical storage room of the fireworks unit to the chemical mixing room. Saroja and Sankaravelu were sieving the chemicals while the other two were unloading the chemicals when a huge fireball surrounded them after a small explosion.

Mariappan and Muthu Murugan were killed on the spot due to burn injuries, but the other two were seriously injured and suffered more than 90% burn injuries.

The injured were rushed to the government hospital in Sivakasi. After first aid, they were referred to the Virudhunagar Government Medical College hospital.

Police said friction while handling the chemicals caused the accident, but none of the work sheds were damaged by the fire.

M. Pudupatti police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.

Just last week, tax officials discovered 22 tonnes of chemicals, suspected to be banned barium nitrate, stored at a site near Sivakasi where paper tubes for aerial fireworks were being manufactured.