At least eight people were killed and more than 10 others injured after an explosion ripped through an illegally operating firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad on Saturday, police said. The blast occurred at a factory functioning in an open area along the Ramol-Gatrad Road.
The death toll, initially reported as two, climbed to eight as rescue teams continued search and relief operations. The injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are undergoing treatment.
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According to Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore, preliminary findings indicate that around 12 to 15 workers were present at the site when the explosion took place. Officials said firecrackers were being manufactured in the open, raising concerns over safety violations.
Police identified the operator of the unit as Mehul Dodiya. Investigators revealed that the factory’s licence had already been cancelled, but manufacturing activities allegedly continued despite the revocation.
Authorities said the fire triggered by the explosion was brought under control and the situation has since been stabilised. A case will be registered under provisions related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with relevant sections of the Explosives Act.
Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and other agencies have reached the site to determine the exact cause of the explosion and investigate possible lapses in safety compliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000. He also said the local administration was providing all possible assistance to the affected families.
