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The blast, which took place around 0930 hours (IST), flattened the state government-owned plant situated in a rocky and remote area on the Katpadi-Chittoor road. The explosion, which could be heard several kilometres away, also set off a fire in the plant.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, while announcing the death toll in Madras, said the blast could have been caused by the accidental ignition of explosives being manufactured at the plant. She has ordered immediate steps to prevent further blasts in the factory.
She deputed two state ministers - Rural Development Minister K Pandurangan and Industries Minister R Vaidyalingam - to coordinate the relief work. Senior revenue and police officials have rushed to the accident site.
The chief minister said the state government has declared an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 15,000 to those seriously injured and Rs 6,000 to the other injured.
UNI
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