Varanasi: A powerful explosion tore through a house in Paigambarpur on the Panchkoshi route within Sarnath police station limits on Thursday evening, bringing the building down and triggering a major rescue operation.
Because firecrackers were believed to be stored in the premises, raising the risk of secondary explosions, rescue work progressed cautiously.
Police said the blast occurred at the house of firecracker trader Raju Khan. Two men were pulled alive from the debris and taken to hospital with minor injuries, while search teams continued efforts to locate a woman feared trapped under the rubble. Within minutes, personnel from Sarnath police, the fire brigade and the National Disaster Response Force reached the site and began clearing rubble to reach those buried inside.
Residents reported panic in the locality as a large crowd gathered around the cordoned area, prompting authorities to manage onlookers while rescue teams worked. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Varanasi | Silver Rate in Varanasi | Bank Holidays in Varanasi | Public Holidays in Varanasi | Varanasi AQI | Weather in Varanasi | Petrol Price in Varanasi | Diesel Price in Varanasi | CNG Price in Varanasi | LPG Price in Varanasi Stay updated with the latest Varanasi news.
Commissioner of police Mohit Agrawal said three people, including the woman, were trapped when the house collapsed after the explosion. Officials said it was not yet clear whether the explosion was linked to illegal storage of fireworks, an LPG cylinder, or another explosive material. The impact of the blast was felt beyond the collapsed house, with the outer portion of a neighbouring structure also caving in. He added that multiple teams, including forensic experts, had been pressed into service to determine the cause. An Anti-Terrorism Squad team also reached the spot and began an investigation given the intensity of the blast. DCP Varuna Rajesh Kumar Pandey and other senior officers remained on site to supervise operations. Download the TOI App. The blast was so severe that the residential building completely collapsed into rubble.
Earlier reporting noted: The explosion trapped around six individuals from firecracker trader Raju Khan’s family beneath the debris, causing panic and chaos among local residents. Earlier reporting noted: Swift rescue operation by NDRF and emergency teams Swift rescue operation by NDRF and emergency teams Earlier reporting noted: Varanasi: Illegal firecracker factory blast collapses two houses, rescue operation underway for trapped people A massive explosion rocked an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in the Pachkosi area of Sarnath, Varanasi, on Thursday evening.