Two hit by train on trial run, die

Theni: A man and a woman died in separate incidents after being hit by a train during its onward and return journeys on the Madurai-Bodinayakanur line on Thursday. According to sources, the train on trial run was travelling from Madurai to Bodi on Thursday evening. When it crossed Bungalow Medu in Theni, a woman who was trying to cross the tracks was hit by the train. The woman, identified as Lakshmi, died of injuries. The other incident happened when the train was crossing a school on Madurai Road on its return journey from Bodi to Madurai. A youth identified as Raja was hit as he tried to cross the tracks. He died on the spot. Government Railway Police are investigating both the incidents.Two sheds damaged in explosion at fireworks unit in Virudhunagar: Two working sheds were damaged in an explosion in a fireworks unit at Sivakasi here on Thursday. However, no injuries were reported. According to police sources, Srinidhi Fireworks is situated at Sengamalapatti village. The unit is owned by Ramalakshmi of Sivakasi.There are 12 working sheds in the unit which is licenced by the district revenue officer. On Thursday, the employees were manufacturing crackers inside the shed. A blast was triggered due to friction while chemicals were filled in crackers in one of the sheds.Following the blast, all the workers ran to safety. Two sheds were damaged due to the explosion. The fire and rescue services personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The Sivakasi East police have registered a case and are conducting investigations.It maybe recalled that last year an explosion was triggered at the same fireworks unit. So, the unit licence was suspended. Once again after obtaining a licence, the unit commenced functioning a few days back.