Vellore firecracker blast toll rises to two; unit owner arrested

A second worker has died after an explosion at a firecracker unit in Chinna Anaicut village near Vellore. R. Gayathri, 41, was killed on the spot on Wednesday, while U. Sangeetha, 45, who suffered 96% burns, died on Friday. Police arrested the unit's 35-year-old owner, Hari Prasad, from his hideout in the Jawadhu Hills. The families received ₹4 lakh ex-gratia.