'At least 11 dead' as massive explosion tears through fireworks factory

06 February 2024 , 12:27

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'At least 11 dead' as massive explosion tears through fireworks factory

At least 11 people are reported to have died after a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in India today.

Videos on social media showed smoke and flames billowing from the site as people fled the area in fear. The cause of the fire in Harda in the state of Madhya Pradesh was not immediately clear. Chief minister Mohan Yadav told a local television channel multiple people had died.

About 40 people were injured and others were feared to be trapped, local official Rishi Garg told the Press Trust of India news agency. Eyewitnesses reported several individuals remain trapped within the facility, with the blaze reaching as high as 50ft. Dozens of ambulances were deployed almost immediately, according to reports, while army helicopters were also requested.

The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital to receive urgent medical treatment. The explosion - on Magardha Road in the village of Bairagarh, Harda - could be felt around 15km away, with the force of it shattering windows.

At least 11 dead in massive explosion at fireworks factory

Pawan Kumar Sharma, the area's top administrative officer, told reporters that at least 11 people died in the blaze and rescuers were scouring the debris to check whether anyone was trapped. About 150 people were injured, senior police officer Ishad Wali said. An employee of the Harda district factory told reporter Tahir Ibn Manzoor: "It was like a feeling of a strong quake. We ran out and witnessed a blaze."

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Reports suggest some of the bodies retrieved from the scene are beyond recognition. Abdul Rayees Khan, commander at the Harda Kotwali police station, informed Indian media that the majority of the casualties resulted from a stampede in the aftermath of the explosion. "These are the people who died primarily as a result of a stampede following the blast; we have yet to reach the actual blast site because a fire has broken out and firefighters are working to extinguish it," Khan said.

Dozens of ambulances were deployed almost immediately before while helicopters from the army were requested

Reports suggest some of the bodies retrieved from the scene are beyond recognition

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed over 50 ambulances were sent to the scene. Yadav also announced compensation of INR 4 lakh for the families of those who died. He said: "Our minister Ranvendra Pratap Singh, DG Home, and over 400 police personnel have headed for the location. We are attempting to extinguish the fire and offer urgent aid to those harmed. We will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment."

Indian PM Narendra Modi also announced an ex-gratia of INR 2 lakh from the PM's National Relief Fund to each of the deceased's next of kin. He has also promised INR 50,000 for the injured. A statement from his office said: "Distressed by the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.

Rescue personnel and local residents gather near a firecracker plant following the explosion (AFP via Getty Images)

"May those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting all those affected. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000."

Fatal accidents occur nearly every year as people work in makeshift factories without proper safety measures. An explosion at a firecracker factory in southern India last July killed eight people. In 2018, a massive fire at a firecracker factory in New Delhi killed 17 workers. A year earlier, a blast killed 23 people while they were making firecrackers in a village in Madhya Pradesh state in central India.

Tahir Ibn Manzoor