The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was deeply shocked and saddened over the Sivakasi firecracker tragedy in Tamil Nadu. He also offered his condolences to the deaths in the tragic accident.

"The Prime Minister has expressed deep shock over the Sivakasi fireworks tragedy in which many lives were lost in Tamil Nadu", said a release from the PMO.

Manmohan Singh said that he stood with the people of Tamil Nadu at these sad time while expressing his heartfelt condolences to the grief-stricken families.

He had announced an ex-gratia sum of Rs 2 Lakh to closest relative of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured in the fire accident.

In the fire accident on Wednesday there were more than 30 killed and 50 injured after the explosion had affected the factory in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Investigations later revealed that the factory was operating illegally.

(AW- Anil)