A tragic explosion at the Vanaja Fireworks manufacturing unit in Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, claimed the lives of 23 workers, including 19 women and 4 men. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM when workers were handling raw materials. The blast caused extensive damage, reducing three rooms to rubble and injuring a fire service person in a subsequent explosion. Families of the victims are awaiting DNA tests to identify the charred remains, as the bodies were rendered unrecognizable. The manufacturing unit had been operating on a Sunday, attracting more workers due to higher wages. Authorities are currently searching for the owner, who has gone missing. This incident follows a similar explosion in the area earlier this year that resulted in four fatalities. Firecracker manufacturing is a significant economic activity in this region, located approximately 550 km south of Chennai.