MADURAT: At least 12 persons were killed and several others injured in a powerful blast that ripped apart nine houses in Kamarajar district on Nov.25.

According to reports reaching here, the blast ripped across the houses and two cyclists were found dead. A transformer was also damaged.

One report said explosives carried by the cyclists had caused the blast while another eyewitness version, from some persons in the neighborhood where a fireworks factory is located, said the blast had occurred at one of the houses which was being used as ago down for explosives.

The houses were situated a kilo meter away from Sivakasi town, famous for its firecracker and matches industry.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 2, 1994