TN: HC orders compensation for kin of fire cracker victims

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of 18 victims of fireworks godown tragedy in Sivakasi and Kumbakonam.
The court, which initiated suo motu proceedings on the October 20 last fire cracker mishap in Sivakasi, that killed nine persons, in its interim order yesterday, said, "The officials are solely responsible for the loss of lives in the accident."
Compensation had not been provided for the families of those who had lost their lives in fireworks shop accident at Thiruvidaimaruthur near Kumbakonam in 2013, the court said.

The judges observed that innocent lives were lost in both the accidents and that the government should give compliance report on compensation in four weeks.
The mishap, which yet again brought to focus safety aspects handling of crackers at fireworks hub of Sivakasi, had occurred when they were being offloaded from a van to a shop-cum-godown, killing eight persons. Another person succumbed to injuries later.