New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths at a firecracker manufacturing unit in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, 'Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the firecracker factory explosion at Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. These were workers who left home in the morning to earn a living for their families. My thoughts are with the grieving families, and I wish a swift recovery to all those injured.'

At least 16 workers were killed in a massive blast reported in a fireworks unit situated in Kattanarpatti in the Virudunagar district.

Senior police officials said that at around 3 pm on Sunday, a firework unit near Kattanarpatti reportedly blasted. On receiving information from the public, police, fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and started dousing the fire.

Further, rescue efforts are underway.

Rescued individuals were shifted to a nearby government hospital. So far, 16 have died, and preliminary information says it's a licensed firework unit named 'Vanaja Fireworks' that added the official.

Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also expressed grief over the lives lost in the Tamil Nadu firecracker factory explosion. He blamed the DMK government for the incident.

'The news of more than 15 people losing their lives in a firecracker factory explosion at Kattanapatti near Virudhunagar delivers profound shock and grief. I extend my deepest condolences and sorrow to the families of those who have passed away. In the past five years under the DMK regime, firecracker factory accidents and loss of lives have become a recurring saga. Despite my consistently pointing this out, the DMK government under M K Stalin has taken no steps whatsoever to ensure the safety of firecracker factories. Instead, they merely conducted a photo-op in a shiny room under the guise of a firecracker factory,' he said.

He assured that if AIADMK is voted to power, all necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future.

'We will take appropriate actions to enforce safety protocols in firecracker factories,' he said. (ANI)