MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd March, 2023) At least eight people died and 19 others were injured in a fire at a pyrotechnics factory in India, local media reported on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, a fire broke out at a firecracker facility in the ancient city of Kanchipuram in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, India Today reported.
All the victims were reportedly hospitalized, with 11 sent to the Kancheepuram government hospital, and eight taken to other medical facilities.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, according to the report.
Later in the day, the death toll from the fire rose to nine, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported, citing police. The owner of the factory was reportedly arrested.
Indian Rural Industries Minister Thiru T.M.Anbarasan said that the factory, in addition to improperly storing firecrackers, also employed more workers than permitted, and called it "a big violation," according to the report. While only seven to 10 people were allowed to work at the facility, it had employed over 27 people, the report said.
