Virudhunagar, April 19 -- After 23 people lost their lives in a blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district on Sunday, former minister and AIADMK leader K T Rajendra Balaji said firecracker accidents have been occurring repeatedly and the DMK government must take the necessary steps to prevent them.

Out of 23 killed, 19 bodies have been identified.

"Firecracker accidents have been occurring repeatedly; the government must take the necessary steps to prevent them. If this industry can be made safer, workers will be able to work comfortably...Steps should be taken to regulate and improve the system. The families of deceased workers should be given at least Rs 10 lakh as compensation. Police personnel an...