11 dead as blasts rock firecracker factory in India, Modi expresses grief

At least 11 people were killed, and five others were injured after a massive fire triggered a series of explosions at a firecracker factory in Manouri Bazaar under Pipri police station limits of Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday, district authorities said.

District Magistrate Amit Pal Sharma said rescue and relief operations were still underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed at the site.

According to the administration, 11 deaths have been confirmed so far, while five injured persons are undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital in Prayagraj. Authorities said they have arranged immediate medical assistance for anyone found during the ongoing search operation.

The District Magistrate assured strict action against those found responsible for the tragedy. He said criminal cases would be registered under serious sections of the law, and stringent measures, including property attachment, would be initiated in accordance with government directives.

Following the explosions, administrative and police teams cordoned off the area and intensified rescue efforts. Officials fear that more people may still be trapped beneath the debris of the factory and nearby structures that collapsed in the blast. Search and clearance operations are continuing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the loss of at least 11 lives in a tragedy at a firecracker unit in Uttar Pradesh. In a message on X, PM Modi said, "Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief." "May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi," said the message.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed officials to expedite rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed the administration to extend all possible assistance to the affected families.

Local residents were among the first to join rescue efforts after the explosions. Villagers were seen rescuing people trapped under debris and those suffering from burn injuries on makeshift stretchers to the roadside, from where ambulances transported them to SRN Hospital. A child is reported to be among the critically injured. Several residents of nearby houses were also hurt in the explosions.

The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. He also prayed for the peace of the deceased and the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also expressed grief over the tragedy. He described the loss of multiple members of a single family as heartbreaking. He directed hospital authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured and stressed that saving lives remained the government's top priority.

The aftermath of the disaster highlighted the scale of devastation caused by the explosions. Images from the spot showed relatives desperately searching through rubble for missing family members, while others rushed to hospitals seeking information about their loved ones.

Indo-Asian News Service