The death toll in the fire incident at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar on February 12 climbed to 20, news agency ANI reported. The blast at a firecracker factory near Sattur in this southern district in Tamil Nadu injured at least 30 people.

According to a PTI report, the explosion occurred when some chemicals were being mixed to produce fireworks at the unit in Acchankulam village.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and DMK President M K Stalin were among those who condoled the deaths.

Over 30 injured were presently undergoing treatment.

Modi and Palaniswami announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each and three lakh each to the kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund respectively.

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The factory building was damaged badly under the impact of the explosion and many suffered burns.

Palaniswami said he has ordered a probe into the incident while assuring due legal action.

Several fire fighting units were deployed to douse the fire and take up the rescue operations.