11 dead, over a dozen injured in Kaushambi cracker factory blast

UP govt announces compensation of ₹2 lakh for kin of deceased and ₹50,000 for the seriously injured; FIR lodged against six of a family, four teams formed for arrest of accused

A massive explosion at an alleged illegal firecracker factory in Kaushambi district on Monday left at least 11 people dead, including eight children, and injured more than a dozen others. The powerful blast completely razed the factory building and damaged several nearby houses, triggering panic across the area.

Scene after the explosion in Kaushambi on Monday. (HT Photo)

Among the deceased are Pravin (13), Priyanshi (5), Priyanjali (5), Praveen Singh (13), Jhanvi (12), Aditya (12), Ravi (8), Gyan Singh (40), Aditya (8), Anju (32), Vikram Saroj (35), Ansh (6) and Nanha (4) who succumbed in the mishap. Many of the injured were rushed to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj and remain in a critical condition. Hospital officials said that the condition of several injured persons at SRN Hospital remains serious, with multiple victims being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The Uttar Pradesh government announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the seriously injured.

Officials said the probe will also focus on determining why the majority of the deceased were minors. The inquiry will seek to determine whether the factory had employed children as workers or whether they ended up as victims by accompanying their parents or residing close to the factory building.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed the administration to remain in contact with the families of the deceased and provide them with all necessary assistance.

According to eyewitnesses, emergency medical assistance was delayed despite repeated calls. As a result, local residents transported the injured to hospitals in auto-rickshaws and other available vehicles.

The explosion occurred at a firecracker factory at around 11 am located in Chillashahbazi village of Charwa under Pipari police station limits near the Prayagraj-Kaushambi border.

The blast was so intense that its sound was reportedly heard several kilometers away. A large plume of smoke engulfed the area as firecrackers stored inside the factory continued to explode for a considerable period after the initial blast.

The impact of the explosion caused extensive damage to nearby residential houses. Several homes collapsed, and LPG cylinders inside some houses reportedly exploded and caught fire, further aggravating the situation. Authorities fear that some people may still be trapped under the debris.

Initial reports suggest that around 25 workers were present inside the factory when the accident occurred. Rescue teams comprising police, fire brigade personnel, and district administration officials immediately rushed to the site and launched search and relief operations. Senior officials, including district magistrate Kaushambi Amit Pal Sharma and superintendent of police (SP) Satyanarayan Prajapat, are monitoring the situation.

At SRN Hospital’s trauma centre, a medical team led by Principal Dr AK Verma is attending to the injured. Relatives of the victims gathered at the hospital, where scenes of grief and anguish were evident as families awaited updates on their loved ones.

DM Amit Pal Sharma confirmed 11 deaths, stating that rescue operations were in full swing and that investigations were underway into how this factory operated without a valid licence.

Chief fire officer (CFO), Prayagraj, CM Sharma said that, given the extent of the explosion, it could be prima facie concluded that crackers were being manufactured on a large scale as several nearby houses were affected.

SP Satyanarayan Prajapat said an FIR had been registered against six persons, and the NDRF and SDRF are carrying out rescue work.

The FIR registered over the blast names six members of a family, alleging that they were involved in the large-scale illegal manufacture and storage of firecrackers inside a residential premises without adequate safety measures.

The six people named in the FIR are Naushad, Shakeel, Shakeel’s wife Shabana, Naushad’s wife Kahkasha Bano, Naushad’s son Adil and Shakeel’s daughter Saina.

The case has been registered under Sections 105 and 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 4, 5 and 9B of the Explosives Act, 1884.

“Post-mortem examinations were being carried out. Four teams have been formed to arrest the six accused. Action will also be taken against others found involved in operating this illegal factory. Sections of the Gangsters Act will also be imposed on the accused, and the process to seize their properties under it would also be undertaken,” he said.

The case was registered at Pipri police station on Monday on the complaint of Gaya Prasad, whose four children—Janhvi, Aditya, Ravi and Amit—were killed in the explosion.

The complainant Gaya Prasad alleged that the accused and their family members had been manufacturing and storing large quantities of firecrackers, despite conducting this activity in a residential area.

He alleged that the firecracker-related activity was conducted without adequate safety arrangements, resulting in the explosion and extensive damage to neighbouring houses.

The blast allegedly damaged five to six houses in the vicinity. The complaint states that several residents were affected, with Gaya Prasad’s wife, Anita Sahu, suffering serious injuries.

The FIR also records allegations of casualties at the house of Vikram Saroj and his wife Anju, besides damage to other neighbouring properties.

Investigators are now examining the nature and scale of the alleged firecracker operation, including the quantity of explosive material stored and whether the occupants had any licence or permission to manufacture or store firecrackers.

Rescue operations continued until late on Monday evening which could further increase the fatality count while authorities investigated the explosion’s cause.