India, April 19 -- A powerful explosion at a firecrackers manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu has left more than 16 workers feared dead and several others seriously injured, according to police officials.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. He offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. In a message shared on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the explosion.

The incident occurred when around 30 workers were engaged in routine manufacturing activities inside the facility. Authorities said the blast was so intense that parts of the building collapsed, trapping workers under...