Punjab Blast: Muktsar Firecracker Factory Explosion Claims 5 Lives and Injures 29 

Blast at Firecracker Factory in Punjab Leaves 5 Dead, 29 Injured

Early on Thursday morning a blast at a firecracker factory manufacturing facility in Singhewala village in the Muktsar district of Punjab killed five migrant workers and injured 29 more.

At around one in the morning the entire factory structure collapsed due to the explosion. 

Details from Local Authorities

Over the phone Jaspal Singh Lambis Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) stated that the explosion occurred in the two-story factory unit on Singhawali-Kotli road in Sri Muktsar Sahib. He also mentioned that the unit employed migrant laborers. 

A number of migrant laborers were employed by the factory which was close to the Haryana border to produce and package firecrackers. Officials think the collapse was caused by an unidentified explosion. 

Initial Cause and Casualty Reports

According to preliminary information the explosion happened in the area where crackers are manufactured for unknown reasons. The casualties resulted from the building collapsing. According to Muktsar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akhil Chaudhary it seems that structural damage, not a fire, was the cause of the deaths.

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Injured and Rescue Operations

According to later confirmation by Lambi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jaspal Singh five bodies had been found among the debris and 29 injured people all of whom were male migrant workers were taken to hospitals in Muktsar and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bathinda. 

Hours after the explosion rescue crews and emergency services remained on the scene working under the direction of the district administration to clear the debris and look for anyone who might still be trapped. 

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Ongoing Investigation into the Blast

Dr. Akhil Chaudhary, senior superintendent of police at Sri Muktsar Sahib stated that the roof collapsed as a result of a blast that took place in one of the units manufacturing rooms.

Rescue efforts were started as soon as the police learned about the incident according to the SSP and many people were trapped beneath the debris. 

Although the precise cause can be determined after investigations and forensic examinations the SSP stated over the phone that it appears the blast was caused by materials used in the production of firecrackers.