At least nine people were killed and six others were injured after a powerful explosion triggered a fire at an illegal firecracker factory in the Ramol area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad city on Saturday, officials said.
The blast occurred around 3.30 pm at the unlicensed unit located on Ramol-Gatrad Road. The injured were shifted to two hospitals -- Civil Hospital in Asarwa and L G Hospital in Maninagar -- for treatment.
At Civil Hospital, one person was brought dead while five injured were admitted, Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi told PTI.
At L G Hospital, Superintendent Leena Dabhi said, "Nine persons were brought to the hospital, of whom eight died. The condition of an injured woman is stable."
According to Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore, the firecracker unit had been operating on an open farm without a valid licence. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations.
Police said a case will be registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with relevant sections of the Explosives Act. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has taken over the investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident. In a statement shared by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X, he said, "Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap at a fireworks factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief."
"Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. 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," the Prime Minister added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also condoled the deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
"The news of the accident that occurred in a firecracker factory in Ahmedabad is extremely heartbreaking. I pray to God that the souls of the deceased who lost their lives in this tragedy find peace. I express my deepest condolences to their family members," Patel said in a post on X.
He said all necessary assistance and medical treatment were being provided to those affected by the local administration and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
