As many as 11 persons got killed and over 40 persons have suffered injuries as blast occurred at a firecrackers manufacturing unit in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda town. Nearly 60 houses in the vicinity of the factory also got destroyed in the blast.
According to officials, a number of people were also feared trapped in and around the unit. Some videos of the incident surfaced on social media showing the fire with intermittent explosions taking place at the site and people running to save themselves.
Harda Collector Rishi Garg said, “An explosion took place in a firecracker factory today morning. Rescue operation is underway. The injured are getting treatment in the District Hospital and seriously injured patients are being shifted to Bhopal and Indore."
Sanjeev Kanchan, Harda’s Superintendent of Police said, "A massive explosion took place in the factory on Tuesday morning. The whole city was engulfed with black smoke. After receiving the information, fire brigade vehicles have been sent to the spot. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Ambulances and fire engines have been called from Harda, Betul, Khandwa and Narmadapuram,” Hindustan Times reported.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav spoke to the officials concerned and sought details of the incident. On directions of the chief minister, minister Uday Pratap Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Ajit Kesari and Director General Home Guard Arvind Kumar reached the spot and assessed the situation. The minister also conducted an aerial survey of the incident site.
Burn units at hospitals in Indore, Bhopal and the AIIMS in the state capital were directed to make necessary arrangements for any emergency, fire brigades were also rushed from Indore and Bhopal to tackle the blaze.
Earlier, reviewing the situation, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told presspersons, “Over 50 ambulances were sent to the spot. Our minister Uday Pratap Singh, DG Home and around 400 police officials have left for the spot. We are trying to control the fire and provide immediate assistance to the injured. We will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and the injured will be given free treatment." He added that the Home Secretary will investigate the incident and submit a report.