Blast at illegal firecracker unit in Banaskantha kills 21, triggers outrage
AHMEDABAD: A powerful explosion and fire at an illegal firecracker storage and manufacturing facility in Banaskantha district claimed at least 21 lives, including women and children, on Tuesday. Six others sustained injuries in the incident.
The blast, which occurred around 9:30 am at Deepak Firecrackers' warehouse in Deesa, led to a massive fire, trapping several workers inside. The intensity of the explosion reduced an adjacent structure to rubble, scattering debris over a 200-meter radius. Firefighters and rescue teams, including the SDRF, launched operations to contain the blaze and recover victims.
Authorities confirmed that many of the deceased were migrant laborers from Madhya Pradesh who had recently arrived for work. Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana stated that ongoing efforts were being made to ensure no one remained trapped inside. District Collector Mihir Patel described the explosion as severe enough to collapse the factory's slab, affecting nearby residential areas.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. However, grieving families criticized the aid as insufficient, demanding stricter accountability. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav assured full assistance to affected workers and their families while maintaining communication with Gujarat authorities.
The incident has sparked political reactions, with Congress accusing the state government of negligence. Party President Shakti Sinh Gohil criticized repeated industrial disasters and the administration’s delayed response.
Police have arrested the owner of the godown and confirmed that the operation was running illegally without regulatory approvals. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion and identify further liabilities.
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Vote rigging charges against MLA DN Jeevaraj: HC grants interim stay on FIR
Bengaluru: Karnataka High Court has issued an interim stay on the FIR against Sringeri legislator DN Jeevaraj, who is accused of vote rigging.
A vacation bench consisting of Justice V Sreeshananda heard on Tuesday the BJP MLA’s plea urging the HC to quash the case against him.
After hearing the arguments, the judge granted an interim stay on the case against Jeevaraj.
The hearing of the case has been adjourned to Thursday, May 7.
