Virudhunagar Explosion News: At least 19 people were killed and six others injured in a powerful explosion at a firecracker factory in Kattanarpatti village of Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu on Sunday, April 19, 2026, IANS reported.
According to the reports, the blast occurred at the Vanaja Firecracker Factory, where around 30 workers were present at the time of the incident. The explosion damaged multiple rooms and triggered a fire that spread across the premises.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control after about an hour, while rescue teams worked through the debris to recover bodies, Superintendent of Police Sreenatha said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
“The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” CM Stalin wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He said he had directed ministers K. K. S. S. R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to visit the site to oversee rescue operations and provide support to affected families.
CM Stalin also said he had spoken to the district collector and instructed officials to ensure all necessary assistance for those affected.