Explosion at firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi kills several, injures dozens

At least five people were killed and more than 18 injured after an explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, according to officials. The blast, which occurred near the Manori power house in the Pipri police station area, reduced the factory to rubble and caused damage to nearby structures.

District Magistrate Amit Pal confirmed that five injured people who had been referred to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj died during treatment. He also said more than 18 people were suspected to have been injured. However, varying casualty figures emerged across reports. The Economic Times, citing the district magistrate, said no death had been officially confirmed. Lokmat Times, quoting District Magistrate Vipin Pal, reported three dead and five injured. India TV News reported that District Magistrate Amit Kumar Pal had confirmed five deaths, with several others injured and some in critical condition.

The explosion triggered a series of smaller and larger blasts as firecrackers ignited, sending a plume of smoke into the sky. The sound was heard up to nearly two kilometres away, and the impact damaged five to seven houses within a 50-metre radius, with five to six adjacent houses collapsing, as per reports from Deccan Chronicle and India TV News.

Around 25 workers were reportedly inside the factory at the time of the blast, and locals feared that about 15 people could be trapped under the debris. Officials did not confirm this number, saying rescue operations were continuing. Eight to ten JCB machines were deployed to clear the rubble, and the fire brigade brought the blaze under control.

Rescue and investigation

Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police, and fire brigade reached the site, along with Kaushambi Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat and Prayagraj Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Mishra. More than 50 Air Force personnel from the nearby Manori Air Force Station, located about two kilometres away, assisted in the operation. Over a dozen fire tenders and around two dozen ambulances were deployed.

The blast also damaged a high-voltage electricity pole and power lines, and electricity department personnel were working to repair the infrastructure. Train operations on the Delhi-Howrah railway line passing near the site were suspended for about an hour; the Ajmer-Sealdah Express was sent back to Manori railway station, and the Vande Bharat Express was stopped at Saiyad Sarawan railway station.

Teams from the Anti-Terrorism Squad reached the site to investigate the circumstances, though the cause of the explosion had not been determined. The final casualty count is expected to be confirmed only after the rescue operation is completed, officials said.