One dead, 18 injured after helium cylinder explosion at river festival in Tamil Nadu
Kallakurichi: One person was killed and at least 18 others were injured after a helium gas cylinder exploded during the Thenpennai River Festival in Manalurpettai in Kallakurichi district on Monday, officials said.
Tiruvannamalai District Collector K Tharpagaraj confirmed the incident and said the explosion occurred while the cylinder was being used to fill balloons at the festival venue, NDTV reported.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed his condolences to the victim’s family.
In a post on X, Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “I am deeply distressed to learn the tragic news that one person lost their life and several others were seriously injured after a helium gas cylinder used to fill balloons exploded at the river festival held in Manalurpettai, Kallakurichi district. I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, and I pray to God that all those injured make a full recovery and return to their respective homes soon.”
He also urged the state government to provide appropriate compensation to the family of the deceased and to those injured in the incident.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
