At least three persons were killed and more than 25 others were injured after an explosion at a firecracker factory in the Tonk Kalan area of Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas on Thursday, police said.
Fire brigade teams are working to douse the flames, and the administration has confirmed two deaths, though locals say the toll is higher.
The injured were rushed to the district hospital, with 13 later referred to private hospitals in critical condition. The deceased labourers were identified as Dheeraj, Sunny, and Sumit, police said
Following the incident, authorities sealed the premises and detained factory owner Anil Malviya to investigate the legality of the operations.
Collector Rituraj Singh said the factory had begun producing small firecrackers only 15 days earlier under a newly issued licence. “Preliminary findings suggest the explosion occurred while gunpowder was being manufactured by mixing two chemicals,” he added.
According to police officers, the blast was so severe that people were flung far away, and nearby houses experienced tremors.
“A fire suddenly broke out in the chemical filling section and spread rapidly. If it had reached the stored chemicals, the accident could have been far more catastrophic,” Roshan Kumar, an injured worker, said,
{{/usCountry}}“A fire suddenly broke out in the chemical filling section and spread rapidly. If it had reached the stored chemicals, the accident could have been far more catastrophic,” Roshan Kumar, an injured worker, said,
{{/usCountry}}More than 200 workers, including women, were employed at the factory. Villagers alleged that the unit was operating illegally and that authorities had failed to act despite repeated complaints.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister said on X, “The news of several casualties in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Tonk Kala, Dewas district, is heart-wrenching. I have directed the district in-charge and Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda ji, the Home Secretary, and senior officials to reach the incident site. Orders for an investigation into the incident have also been issued. Instructions have been given to provide financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each from the state government to the families of the deceased and to ensure free treatment for the injured. I pray to Baba Mahakal for peace for the departed souls, strength for the grieving families to bear their sorrow, and swift recovery for those injured in the accident.”