A catastrophic explosion at the Vanaja firecracker unit in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, India, has claimed 25 lives, with the majority of victims being women. The blast occurred around 3:15 PM on Sunday, during unauthorized operations, as the fireworks industry is typically closed on Sundays. Identification of the deceased is proving difficult due to severe burns, with police relying on jewelry for recognition. Families have not claimed the bodies due to uncertainty in identities. The factory owner, Muthumanickam, is reportedly absconding, prompting local residents and families of victims to demand his arrest. Rescue operations faced further challenges when a second explosion occurred during the cleanup, injuring several responders, including police and fire personnel. Chief Minister M K Stalin has initiated a high-level probe into the incident, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in the fireworks industry, especially following a similar incident just days prior that resulted in four deaths.