Prayagraj : At least 11 people were killed and five others injured after a massive explosion ripped through an illegally operated firecracker manufacturing unit in the Manauri Bazaar area on the Kaushambi-Prayagraj border in Kaushambi district at 11 am on Monday. Eight of the victims were minors and four were from a single family.
Police said the massive explosion left more than 16 people trapped and injured in four to five houses, and 11 of them succumbed to their injuries.
A senior administrative official said the fire brigade had brought the blaze under control and rescue operations were carried out to evacuate those trapped inside the unit. Upon being alerted, senior police and administrative officials, along with fire department teams and forensic experts from Prayagraj and Kaushambi rushed to the spot and carried out rescue operations. Several fire tenders were also deployed to control the flames and assist in the rescue operation. Earthmovers were brought in to remove the debris and search for people who might have been trapped underneath. Debris from the explosion was scattered across the area. It was assumed that a fire broke out inside the unit, triggering a series of explosions as stored firecrackers began detonating one after another. The continuing explosions initially made it difficult for rescue teams to inspect the spot.
Injured in Firecracker Unit Incident Identified
The firecracker manufacturing unit, located in agricultural fields and operating without a valid license or adherence to safety regulations, has come under scrutiny following a recent incident. According to the FIR filed by victims’ family members, the facility contained significant quantities of explosive materials.
Five individuals were injured in the incident and have been admitted to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj and the district hospital in Kaushambi. The injured are identified as Savita (36), Tannu (17), Rajesh (45), Anita (38), and Mala Devi. Notably, none of the owners’ family members were among those injured or deceased in the incident.