<span style="color: #222222;">In Tamil Nadu, a major accident in a firecracker unit has claimed 12 lives, leaving about 36 others injured. The accident occurred this afternoon at Achankulam village near Vembakottai town in Virudhunagar district. Medical officials say a few of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. They said some of the injured have suffered about 80 per cent burns.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The accident is said to have happened when the workers were involved in manufacturing a fancy variety of the firecrackers. The central explosives officials are looking into the cause of the accident.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over the accident. In a tweet, he has said, in this hour of grief, his thoughts are with the bereaved families. He has expressed hope that the injured would recover soon. He has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 to those grievously injured, from the PM National Relief Fund.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Similarly, the state Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has announced Rs three lakh each to the families of the dead and Rs one lakh each to those severely injured.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, DMK chief MK Stalin and several other leaders have expressed their deep condolences over the loss of life in the tragedy.</span>