A powerful blast ripped through the licensed Gokulesh Fireworks unit in Chinnakamanpatti village (Virudhunagar district) around 8:20 AM on July 1, 2025.

• Casualties: Eight workers were killed instantly and five more were injured
• Victims identified: Among the deceased were Mahalingam (55), Ramamoorthy (45), Ramajeyam (27), Lakshmi (22), Vairamani (32), Chellapandi, Nagapandi, and Punniamoorthy
• Cause & response: The explosion was triggered by friction during chemical mixing. Fire crews contained the blaze, and seven sheds collapsed
• Legal action: The foreman, Ravi, was arrested, and cases filed against owners Kamalkumar, Selvam, landowner Mayakannan, and another foreman Natarajan Government steps: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced ₹4 lakh ex‑gratia for each deceased, ₹1 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. A high-level safety inspection is underway

This marks another devastating incident in the region, following February and June blasts in Virudhunagar that killed a cumulative 14 people .

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