Nine people died and four sustained injuries in a blast in a fire cracker unit near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nandu, a senior official said Friday.
Six of the dead were men, and three women.
"The accident occurred in the afternoon around 2.30 today (Friday). Five people died on the spot, and four died on the way to hospital. Four people were admitted to hospital, and they are said to be out of danger," N. Subbaian, Thanjavur district collector, told IANS over phone.
He said the accident occurred in a licensed fire cracker unit, Dhanalakshmi Fire Works, and the cause of the accident was to be ascertained.
According to Subbaian, the fire was doused soon after the accident.
Thanjavur is around 340 km from state capital Chennai.
