Virudhunagar fireworks unit blast toll rises to 25; identity of 22 victims established, says Collector

The death toll in the blast that took place at Vanaja Fireworks Unit at Kattanarpatti here rose to 25, with two more workers succumbing to burns early on Monday.

R. Petchiammal, 51, and V. Panchavarnam, 56, of Tiruthagal, who suffered over 80% burns in the explosion that occurred at Vanaja Fireworks unit on Sunday, died at the Virudhunagar Government Medical College hospital (VGMCH) on Monday. Six others, including a 12-year-old boy, are undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, a woman police constable, Kavitha, had suffered a fracture on her left hand in the second blast that was reported around 7.20 p.m., even as search and rescue operation was under way.