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13 workers killed in Telangana firecracker godown fire
Roof of the factory at Kasibugga near Telangana’s Warangal town blew off.
At least 13 workers were killed and several injured when an explosion ripped through a fireworks factory at Kasibugga near Telangana’s Warangal town on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around noon at a warehouse belonging to Bhadrakali Fireworks, located near the Enumamula market, while over 25 workers were busy packing firecrackers. The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.
Police said the impact of the blast was such that the roof of the factory blew off, and the surrounding sheds were reduced to ashes. Houses located near the site also suffered cracks on their walls. Four of the dead were charred beyond recognition.
Although four fire engines were rushed to the spot, the billowing smoke and crackling fireworks made rescue operations difficult.
The injured were rushed to the MGM government hospital in the city.
The bodies of the 11 deceased have been recovered, and rescue officials expect the toll to rise in the hours to come.
Senior police and district administration officials are supervising rescue operations at the spot.
Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and offered each an ex-gratia sum of ₹5 lakh. He also directed the authorities to ensure better medical care for the injured at the government’s expense.
