- Wednesday, April 02, 2025
The fiery blast took place at 9.45 am and it sent chunks of rock and metal flying far from the factory complex near Deesa town
By: India Weekly
EIGHTEEN people were killed and five others injured in an explosion at a firecracker warehouse in Gujarat on Tuesday, officials said.
The fiery blast took place at 9.45 am and it sent chunks of rock and metal flying far from the factory complex near Deesa town in Banaskantha district.
“There was a huge blast in the factory causing the concrete roof to collapse, killing 18 people and injuring five others,” government spokesman Rishikesh Patel told reporters.
Police officials said the victims were workers from Madhya Pradesh and their family members, and most of them died after the slab collapsed on them.
The unit was meant to store firecrackers.
Authorities have launched a probe into the incident.
Fireworks are hugely popular in India, particularly during the Hindu festival of Diwali, as well as for use during wedding celebrations.
Explosions are common in firecracker workshops, with owners often disregarding basic safety requirements.
Last year, 11 people died in a fireworks factory explosion in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
In 2019, at least 18 people were killed in a similar explosion in Punjab state, and another 10 were killed the same year in Uttar Pradesh. (Agencies)
