Virudhunagar, April 19 -- At least 16 people have died and at least 6 others have sustained injuries in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in Kattanarpatti near Virudhunagar, officials said on Sunday.

"So far, 8 bodies have been recovered from the site," a fire and rescue department official confirmed to ANI, adding that operation to rescue people feared trapped inside is ongoing.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin expressed condolences and instructed the District Collector to coordinate all necessary assistance.

"The tragic news of the deaths of several people in the firecracker factory explosion that occurred in Kattanapatti, Virudhunagar district, causes immense sorrow. My deepest condolences to the families of those wh...