Chandigarh, May 30 — A devastating explosion at a firecracker factory in Punjab’s Muktsar Sahib district late Thursday night claimed the lives of at least five workers and left 25 others injured, according to officials. The blast completely destroyed the two-storey building, and rescue operations are still underway with two individuals reported missing.
Explosion Occurred Around 1:30 AM
The incident occurred around 1:30 AM at a firecracker manufacturing unit located on the Singhewala–Fatuhiwala road. Initial investigations suggest that the blast originated in the making unit of the factory, which reportedly operated under contract by a man named Rajkumar from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. Most of the workers employed at the factory were reportedly from out of state and lived on-site.
The factory is said to be linked to a local political worker, though authorities have not officially confirmed this connection.
Factory Building Completely Collapsed
The force of the blast was so intense that it brought down the entire structure, trapping workers under the debris. Eyewitnesses stated that the premises had a large number of packed firecracker boxes, and a truck loaded with empty boxes—meant to be unloaded this morning—was also stationed nearby.
Following the explosion, police, fire brigade, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rushed to the scene. Rescue operations have been ongoing since the night, with efforts focused on recovering those believed to be buried in the rubble.
Relief and Investigation Underway
The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals and AIIMS Bathinda, with medical teams providing emergency care. The District Administration has confirmed five fatalities but has not yet released the identities of the deceased.
DSP Jaspal Singh reported that an investigation is being led by Karmjeet Kaur, SHO of Killianwali Police Station, and her team. So far, five bodies have been recovered from the debris, while search continues for the missing. The factory was registered under the name Tarsem Singh, police said.
Officials are now probing whether the factory had appropriate licenses and safety protocols in place, especially given the large stockpile of firecrackers stored on the premises.
Public Safety and Regulatory Concerns
The tragedy has raised serious questions about the enforcement of safety norms in firecracker manufacturing units, particularly those operating in residential or semi-rural areas. Locals have expressed shock and anger over the incident, urging the authorities to take swift action against those responsible.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.