Palanpur: At least 18 persons were killed after a blast at a firecracker factory led to a blaze and collapse of the building in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident took place at the unit located near Deesa town.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions, followed by the sudden collapse of the factory’s roof. Fire engulfed the building within minutes, leaving little time for workers to escape. “We heard a loud blast, and within moments, the entire factory was engulfed in fire. People were running for their lives, but some got trapped under the debris,” said a local resident who was near the site at the time of the explosion.
He said the bodies of 18 persons have been recovered from the factory, and four are injured but in stable condition.
A blast at the factory in an industrial area led to a fire, and some parts of the building collapsed, leaving several persons trapped under the rubbles, said Neha Panchal, sub-divisional magistrate, Deesa.
The officer confirmed that several injured workers had been shifted to the Civil Hospital, with three suffering severe burns covering over 40 percent of their bodies. “Preliminary reports indicate a major explosion led to the immediate collapse of the structure, and several workers were buried under the debris. The rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation,” she said.
Patel said that as per preliminary information, the blast occurred when firecrackers were being made at the factory.
Family members of workers also lived on the premises and were also trapped under the rubble, he said.
Officials said firefighters from the Deesa municipality doused the blaze, and an operation was underway to rescue those trapped in the rubble.
A team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was also at the site to assist in the rescue work, they said.
Investigators are now looking into whether the factory possessed the necessary permits for handling explosive materials.
Meanwhile, forensic experts have arrived at the site to examine the cause of the explosion, while the police have cordoned off the area to prevent further mishaps. The exact number of workers present at the time of the explosion is still unclear, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Local authorities, including the Deputy Section Officer (DYSO) and Chief Officer, are actively supervising relief efforts at the site. As the rescue teams continue their mission to retrieve those trapped, the state government has pledged all necessary support to the affected workers and their families.
Reacting to the tragedy, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for strict enforcement of safety regulations in firecracker factories. In a statement on social media, he expressed condolences to the affected families and demanded a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
“Such accidents frequently occur in these factories, and poor workers lose their lives while earning their livelihood. Safety rules must be strictly enforced, and clear accountability must be established to prevent such tragedies,” he wrote on X.
Chief minister Bhupendra Patel announced compensation for the victims’ families, stating that the Gujarat government would provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Earlier, the Gujarat CM expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and assured full support to the victims’ families. He described the event as “heart-wrenching”, highlighting the collapse of the building’s slab due to the explosion, which led to the loss of workers’ lives.
In a statement, CM Patel said, “The incident of workers losing their lives due to an explosion and fire at a firecracker godown in Deesa is extremely tragic. My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I am in constant contact with the administration regarding rescue, relief, and medical treatment efforts. Instructions have been given to ensure that the injured receive prompt and appropriate medical care.”
(With input from agencies)
This post was last modified on April 1, 2025 8:16 pm