Sivakasi fire cracker mishap: HC seeks report on violations

: Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports on the firecracker godown mishap in Sivakasi which claimed the lives of eight people, the Madras High Court today directed government officials concerned to file a report on alleged safety violations that led to the tragedy.
A division bench directed the Joint Director of Explosives, among others, to be present before it and submit a detailed report once the investigation is over.
The court raised several queries, including how a scan centre was allowed to function near a firecracker godown.
It also sought to know about the steps taken and planned to ensure the safety of people working and living around firecracker units and godowns.

The District Revenue Officer of Virudhunagar, under which Sivakasi falls, was present in court today.
Eight people, including six women, were killed in the tragedy at the firecracker manufacturing hub of Sivakasi yesterday when crackers were being offloaded from a vehicle to be shifted to a shop.