A devastating boiler explosion at a firecracker factory in Deesa, Banaskantha, Gujarat, claimed the lives of 21 workers from Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday morning around 8 AM. Five others sustained injuries, with three suffering more than 40% burns. The blast was so powerful that body parts of several victims were found scattered up to 50 meters away, and debris from the factory was flung up to 100 meters. Firefighters took nearly six hours to bring the blaze under control.
All the deceased were residents of Handia village in Harda district, Madhya Pradesh. According to factory sources, they had arrived for work just two days before the explosion and were engaged in manufacturing firecrackers. The process of identifying the deceased is currently underway.
The factory, Deepak Traders, is owned by Khubchand Sindhi. Preliminary investigations revealed that the owner only had a license to sell firecrackers, not to manufacture them. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and local police are probing further violations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
A survivor named Vijay, receiving treatment at Banas Medical College in Palanpur, described the horror:
"We were working inside when suddenly a massive explosion occurred. I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I saw fire everywhere. Somehow, I managed to escape in a burnt condition."
Factory walls collapsed due to the blast.
The roof was blown off from the impact.
Bodies were found scattered up to 50 meters away.
Firefighters struggled for six hours to douse the flames.
Authorities are now investigating illegal activities at the factory and ensuring such incidents do not occur in the future. The administration has vowed strict action against those responsible.
A day before this tragedy, a cylinder explosion in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, claimed eight lives, including four children and four women. The BJP alleged that the site was being used as an illegal bomb-making factory.
