Chennai/UNI: Nine people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a firecracker godown at Periyapettai village in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

Police sources said the blast was caused after a LPG cylinder exploded at a restaurant housed in the same building, where the godown was located.

The entire family of the godown owner was killed in the explosion. The explosion occurred when the godown was opened for sales as usual, killing its owner Ravi (42), his wife Jayashree (40), his daughter Rithika (19) and son Rutheesh (21).

The other deceased was identified as the owner of the adjacent eatery Rajeshwari, and two others, Ibrahim Kaiyulla (21) and Imran (18) along with a man and a woman, who were yet to be identified.

Police said while seven people were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to injuries and burns at the hospital.

The impact of the explosion was such that the entire building that housed a total of five shops, including a bakery and an eatery, was completely razed to the ground.

Some people were feared to have been trapped under the rubble, and police and five services personnel were involved in rescue and relief operations.

The district administration swung into action with earth-movers to clear the rubble and rescue the injured.

District Collector Sarayu, who monitored the disaster response at the spot, said the restaurant, a welding unit, another shop and the godown were housed in the same building.

There were two shops between the godown and the restaurant, she said, adding, the LPG cylinder exploded at the restaurant and the fire later spread to the other shops and the godown, which functioned only as a storage place from where sales are permitted.

Earlier, the Collector visited the government medical college hospital and called on the injured and also met the bereaved relatives of the victims at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the deaths and expressed grief over the incident. 

PM Modi condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

The PMO tweeted "Deeply saddened by the tragic mishap at a cracker factory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, resulting in the loss of precious lives."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this extremely difficult time. May the injured recover soon," it said.

"An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs.50,000: PM @narendramodi,” the tweet said.

The Home Minister, who is on a visit to Tamil Nadu, also condoled the deaths.In a tweet, Amit Shah said "Deeply saddened to know about the tragic fire accident in a crackers factory in Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu). I extend my sincerest condolences to the family members of the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured".

The Governor said he was deeply saddened by the loss of valuable lives in the mishap. “My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured,” the Governor tweeted.

Condoling the deaths, Stalin expressed grief over the death of nine people and also announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

In a statement, he also announced an announcement of Rs one lakh each to those who suffered serious injuries and Rs 50,000 each for those who sustained minor injuries from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

Stalin said he has deputed Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R. Sakkarapani to the spot to oversee the relief measures and also directed the hospital authorities to provide the best of treatment to the injured.