Daijiworld Media Network - Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, Jan 20: At least one person was killed and 18 others injured after a helium gas cylinder exploded during the Thenpennai River Festival at Manalurpettai in Kallakurichi district on Monday, officials said.

According to Tiruvannamalai District Collector K Tharpagaraj, the explosion occurred when a helium cylinder used for filling balloons went off at the festival venue, triggering panic among the gathered crowd. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where several are reported to be in serious condition.

AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

In a post on X, Palaniswami said he was “deeply distressed” to learn about the tragic incident in which one person lost their life and several others sustained serious injuries due to the explosion of a helium gas cylinder at the river festival in Manalurpettai.

He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the family of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The AIADMK leader also urged the state government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the family of the deceased as well as to those injured in the accident.