An explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar (a district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu long known as a centre of the country's fireworks industry) has killed at least 14 people. The blast, which caused significant destruction at the facility, is among the deadliest such incidents to strike the region's pyrotechnics sector in recent years. Fireworks factory accidents are a recurring concern in Tamil Nadu, where the industry employs large numbers of workers but has faced persistent scrutiny over safety standards.