Tragic Explosion at Fireworks Factory in Saharanpur Claims Lives
Explosion in Saharanpur Fireworks Factory
A devastating explosion occurred on Friday evening at a fireworks factory in the Naya village of Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of two workers, with two others reported missing, according to police reports.
The incident took place around 5 PM at the Rana Fire Works factory, located in the Gangoh police jurisdiction. Initial investigations suggest that negligence in handling or storing explosive materials may have led to the explosion.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Mayank Pathak, the blast was so powerful that its sound could be heard from nearly two kilometers away. The sight of thick black smoke rising from the factory caused panic in nearby villages.
Upon hearing about the explosion, local residents rushed to the scene, and teams from the police and fire department initiated rescue operations. The deceased have been identified as Deepak (23) and Sandeep (25), both hailing from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The bodies were severely mutilated, complicating identification efforts.
Following the incident, District Magistrate Arvind Chauhan and Superintendent of Police Abhinandan, along with other senior officials, visited the factory and ordered a thorough investigation. Reports indicate that a contractor and one of his employees are missing, with search efforts currently underway. The missing individuals have been identified as Akash Rawat and Lalu.
Pathak noted that part of the factory building was damaged due to the explosion, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident. Workers at the factory informed police that they were preparing fireworks for Diwali and that a significant quantity of explosive materials was stored on-site.
The factory has been operational at this location for the past five years. District Magistrate Chauhan stated that the factory has been sealed, and a magistrate's inquiry has been ordered through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to ascertain the cause of the explosion. A team of explosives experts has arrived at the site, and forensic teams are collecting evidence for further investigation.
Chauhan mentioned that the factory's license is valid until 2028, but the SDM has been instructed to investigate whether any license conditions or safety regulations were violated, leading to the explosion.