Goa, April 19 -- A devastating explosion tore through a firecracker factory in Kattanarpatti, located in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district, on Sunday, leaving at least 18 people dead and six others injured, according to a report by Press Trust of India. The blast, which triggered a massive fire, caused widespread destruction in the surrounding area and prompted an immediate emergency response.

Officials from the state fire and rescue department confirmed the incident, stating that teams were rushed to the site to contain the blaze and carry out rescue operations. The injured were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while efforts continued to assess the extent of the damage.

Reacting to the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minis...