Eight people were killed and more than 10 others injured in an explosion at an illegally operating firecracker factory in Ahmedabad's Ramol area on Saturday. The blast occurred at a unit functioning in an open ground along the Ramol-Gatrad Road canal.
The death toll, initially reported as two, later rose to eight as rescue operations continued. The injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police identified the factory operator as Mehul Dodiya. Investigators said the unit’s licence had already been cancelled, but manufacturing activities were allegedly continuing despite the revocation.
A case has been registered under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and relevant provisions of the Explosives Act.
Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and other investigating agencies have been called to the site to determine the cause of the explosion and examine possible violations of safety regulations.
Several fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot after the blaze was reported. Firefighters are working to extinguish the flames while carrying out search and rescue operations to ensure that no one remains trapped inside the factory. Emergency personnel remain deployed at the site as efforts to bring the situation under control continue. Officials fear the death toll could increase as rescue teams continue to search the factory premises.
The incident triggered a massive emergency response with multiple fire engines and rescue teams reaching the factory soon after the fire broke out.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in the Ahmedabad factory blast and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said he was “extremely saddened" by the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident and said that the local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected by the incident.
Also read: 8 killed in fire at illegal cracker godown in Jaipur
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