CHENNAI, Feb 12: Sixteen people died and 35 were injured is a cracker factory blast in Virudhunagar near Madurai in Tamil Nadu on Friday afternoon. The condition of many of those admitted to the Government hospitals in Sivakasi and Sattur is critical.

Ten cracker-making sheds of the factory, Mariammal Fireworks, were destroyed. The blast occurred due to the friction while preparing the explosives from chemicals, it is learnt. Ten firefighters were deployed to bring the fire under control. The explosion took place at 1:30 pm.

While the bodies of four of the dead were burnt beyond recognition, two bodies are yet to be identified.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet expressed grief: "Fire at a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu is saddening. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover soon. Authorities are working on the ground to assist those affected: PM @narendramodi"

An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those who died and Rs 50,000 each for those seriously injured has been sanctioned from the PMNRF.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami has announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of deceased and Rs 1 lakh each for those critically injured.