NEW DELHI, Apr 1: At least 18 people were killed and five others injured in a blast at a firecracker warehouse that led to a blaze and collapse of the building in Banaskantha district in Gujarat on Tuesday.
As per the reports, the incident took place in an industrial area near Deesa town at around 9.45 am. “As many as 18 persons died in the incident, and five others are injured after the slab of the building collapsed following a massive blast,” Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said.
As per the police, the victims were mostly workers and their family members from Madhya Pradesh. Most of them died after the slab collapsed on them. The unit was meant to store firecrackers.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed sorrow over the tragic incident and said, “The incident of people dying due to fire in Banaskantha is heart-rending. I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I pray to God that all those injured get well soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” PMO said in a post on X.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons. “The incident of the death of workers due to fire and slab collapse in a firecracker godown in Deesa is heart-breaking. My heartfelt condolences are with the relatives of the deceased in this hour of grief,” Patel said in a post on X.
“I am in constant touch with the administration regarding the relief, rescue and treatment work in this accident. I have instructed the administration to ensure that the injured get proper treatment at the earliest. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured,” he added.
A team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was at the site to assist in the rescue work.
(Manas Dasgupta)
