PM Modi condoles Saathur fire accident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the 12 people killed in a fire at a firecracker factory near Sattur in Virudhunagar district.

“The firecracker factory accident in Virudhunagar is saddening. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.” he said in a statement. “I hope the injured will recover soon. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. 2 lakhs will be given to the families of the victims and 50,000 rupees will be given to the families of the injured,” he added, in a tweet in Tamil.

Earlier on Friday, a firecracker factory called Mariyammal Fireworks at Achchankulam, owned by one Sakthivel and operating near Sattur in Virudhunagar district, had caught fire. More than a hundred workers were employed in the factory. While the workers were on duty, there was a sudden fire at around 1:30 PM.

Twelve people were killed in the accident. Their bodies were charred beyond recognition, and so, their identities are yet to be revealed. Since the remaining victims in the hospital are at a highly critical state, it is expected that the death toll is likely to go up.

“Twenty-two workers were admitted to the government hospital at Sattur. All of them have suffered less than 50% burns,” said District Revenue Officer, R. Mangalaramasubramanian.

Congress high command Rahul Gandhi had also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

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