Ahmedabad illegal fireworks unit blast kills 9; PM announces ex-gratia
Factory allegedly continued operations despite licence cancellation; police book operator as probe into safety lapses begins
At least nine people were killed and more than 10 injured after a massive explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad on Saturday (July 18), reducing the facility to rubble and triggering a major rescue operation.
The explosion occurred at around 3.30 pm at the processing unit of Talent Fireworks. The powerful blast, followed by a massive fire, was reportedly heard up to five kilometres away and completely flattened the factory.
Rescue operation
Personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), whose camp is located close to the site in Vastral, rushed to the spot within minutes and joined rescue efforts, pulling victims from the debris. Multiple fire tenders from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) were deployed to bring the blaze under control.
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The injured, several of whom suffered severe burn injuries, were shifted to Asarwa Civil Hospital and LG Hospital in Maninagar for treatment. Officials said the death toll could rise as some of the victims remain in critical condition.
Illegal structure
Senior police officials, including Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore, said the unit was operating illegally on open farmland. According to the police, the factory's licence had already been cancelled, but its operator, identified as Mehul Dodiya, allegedly continued manufacturing firecrackers in violation of the law.
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Police said a criminal case would be registered against Dodiya at the Ramol Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with relevant sections of the Explosives Act.
Ex-gratia announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each as financial assistance.
Authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and examine possible lapses that allowed the illegal unit to continue operations despite the cancellation of its licence.