Overview
- The cylinder exploded around 7:30 p.m. on January 19 at a temporary balloon stall during the Thenpennai River (Aatru Thiruvizha) festival in Manalurpettai, Kallakurichi.
- The victim was identified as Kala, about 50, while at least 18 others were injured, with six in intensive care at Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College and some shifted to CMC Vellore and Arunai Medical College.
- Police booked the stall operator, A. Ezhumalai of Tiruvannamalai district, on negligence-related charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after he sustained severe injuries.
- Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced ₹3 lakh for the deceased’s family, ₹1 lakh for those with serious injuries, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
- Authorities are investigating the cause and compliance with gas-handling protocols after early reports of a helium cylinder were corrected to hydrogen by police.