NEW DELHI: A massive blast ripped through a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar on Sunday, killing 18 people and injuring six others in the Kattanarpatti area, news agency PTI reported.The incident was confirmed by the fire andrescue department.Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin responded to the tragedy, expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

He wrote on X, “The tragic news of the loss of several lives in the firecracker factory explosion in Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those who have passed away.I have requested the esteemed ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu to rush to the scene immediately to expedite and oversee the rescue operations and to offer solace to the affected families.”

He also instructed local district authorities to provide immediate assistance on the ground.

Union home minister Amit Shah also expressed his condolences to the tragedy. He posted on X, "Deeply saddened by the tragic fire accident at Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."