SIVAKASI, Jan 1: Four workers died in a fireworks factory explosion near Sivakasi on Saturday morning. Eight others injuried were admitted to the Government hospital nearby and four of them were later shifted to the Rajaji hospital in Madurai.

The blast occurred at the RKVM Fireworks unit in Kalathur village under the Vadugapatti panchayat. Two dozen firefighters were engaged to put out the flames.

The deceased were identified as S Kumar (38) of Mettupatti, P Periasamy (65) of Servaikaranpatti, S Veerakumar (40) and S Murugesan (35) of P Paraipatti.

The fire service said the blast was triggered by friction while mixing the chemicals. The factory is owned by one, C Vazhividu Murugan (38) of M Mettupatti, who has been booked under the provisions of Indian Explosive Substances Act.. His licence has also been suspended. The bodies have been handed over to the relatives after post-mortem examination.

The factory building and the attached constructions were damaged. The workers were performing some rituals when the blast took place.