13 killed in explosion at firecracker factory in India

At least 13 persons were killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in an industrial area in Gujarat's Banaskantha district of India on April 1, PTI noted, citing officials, Report informs via Hindustan Times.

The incident took place at a unit near Deesa town. Four persons are injured but in stable condition.

Banaskantha collector Mihir Patel said that the explosion occurred at the factory around 9:45 am, causing the entire RCC slab to collapse.

“Till now, 13 bodies have been retrieved from debris at the factory. The whole RCC slab had collapsed. The relief teams are removing the debris,” the collector said, according to ANI. “Four people who were injured in this incident are in stable condition. Police probe on, FSL team called for further investigation.”

According to Patel, the blast occurred when firecrackers were being made at the factory.

Family members of workers also lived on the premises and were also trapped under the rubbles, he said.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Neha Panchal said that several people were trapped as the blast at the site led to a fire and collapsed a part of the building.

Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said that operations are underway to rescue those who are suspected to be trapped under debris. A team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was also present at the site to assist operations.