Atleast 11 killed as massive blast rips through firecracker factory in UP’s Kaushambi

At least 11 people, including several children, were killed and five seriously injured after a massive explosion ripped through a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district on Monday, reducing nearby houses to rubble and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

The explosion occurred at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Manori village under the Pipri police station area, near the Manori power house. District Magistrate Amit Pal said the victims were taken to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj, where 11 of the injured died during treatment. Five seriously injured people remained under treatment at the hospital.

Houses collapse in impact

The force of the explosion caused extensive damage to the factory and surrounding structures, with five to six houses adjacent to the unit collapsing. Officials said more than 18 people were suspected to have been injured, while authorities feared that others could still be trapped beneath the debris.

The deceased were identified as Priyanjali, 5; Praveen Singh, 13; Jahanvi, 12; two children named Aditya, aged 12 and eight; Ravi, 8; Anju, 32; Gyan Singh, 40; Vikram Saroj, 35; Ansh, 6; and Nana, 4. Officials said all those killed lived in the vicinity of the factory.

Rescue teams comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and fire brigade were deployed at the site. More than 50 Air Force personnel also joined the operation, while over a dozen fire tenders and around two dozen ambulances were pressed into service.

The blaze was brought under control before teams began clearing the debris in search of people feared trapped. Excavators and around 10 bulldozers were deployed to remove rubble from the collapsed structures.

Train services disrupted

The intensity of the blast also affected train operations on the Delhi-Howrah railway line, with services suspended for about an hour as a precautionary measure. The Ajmer-Sealdah Express, which had reached close to the affected area, was sent back to Manori railway station, while the Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express was halted at Saiyad Sarawan station.

The explosion damaged a high-voltage electricity pole and power lines in the area, disrupting electricity supply. Power department personnel were deployed to repair the damaged infrastructure.

Senior officials, including Kaushambi DM Amit Pal, Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat and Prayagraj Range Inspector General Ajay Mishra, reached the site to supervise the rescue and relief operations.

Yogi announces compensation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured and extend all possible assistance to the affected families.

The state government announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.

Authorities continued searching the debris on Monday evening amid fears that more people could be trapped, raising concerns that the toll could increase.