Deadly Explosion at Gujarat Firecracker Factory Claims 21 Lives

A deadly explosion at an alleged illegal firecracker factory in Deesa, Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, on Tuesday morning has left 21 people dead and six others injured. At least 18 of the deceased were from Madhya Pradesh. The explosion, which occurred in a warehouse allegedly used for illegal firecracker storage and manufacturing, triggered a massive fire and caused the building's concrete roof to collapse, trapping workers under the rubble. Investigation underway to assess what triggered the explosion but the tragedy has stoked criticism of government’s oversight.

The explosion, which struck around 9:30 a.m., sent shockwaves through Deesa’s industrial area. Emergency response teams, including seven fire brigades, eight ambulances, and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) unit, rushed to the scene, joined by four bulldozers to help clear the debris. Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana confirmed the devastating toll, stating, “The casualties occurred after the roof of the warehouse collapsed following the blast. Forensic teams are investigating the cause of the explosion.”

Local officials described a chaotic scene as flames engulfed the structure, complicating rescue efforts. Banaskantha Collector Mihir Pravin Kumar Patel confirmed, “We have recovered 21 bodies so far. Most of the victims were labourers and their families, who hailed from Dewas and Harda [in Madhya Pradesh].” The identification process is ongoing, with many families anxiously awaiting updates.

Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, who visited the site, assured the public that swift action was being taken. "We immediately deployed seven fire teams, eight ambulances, an SDRF team, and four bulldozers for the rescue operation," he said. However, the disaster has raised serious questions about how such an illegal facility was able to operate without proper oversight. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat president Isudan Gadhvi criticised the government, stating, "This tragedy is a direct result of the authorities’ failure to monitor illegal firecracker factories. The government must be held accountable."

Preliminary investigations suggest that the facility, owned by an individual named Khupchand, did not have the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate legally. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the incident, and police have arrested the factory owner’s brother. While the exact cause of the explosion is still unclear, some officials speculate that it may have been caused by a boiler malfunction or the mishandling of volatile materials.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his condolences via social media, saying, "The deaths of workers due to the fire and roof collapse in the firecracker warehouse in Deesa is heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims." The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The tragedy has reignited concerns over fire safety regulations in Gujarat, particularly in industries dealing with hazardous materials. Local resident Deepal Trevedi expressed frustration, saying, "Fire safety is a joke in Gujarat. Now, the government will offer compensation, but they’ll conveniently ignore the fact that the factory was operating illegally." Political leaders, including Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani, also criticised the state’s handling of the situation, accusing the ruling BJP government of neglecting public safety. “The Gujarat BJP government only cares about the people’s well-being when it affects their electoral prospects,” Mevani remarked.

As rescue and cooling operations continue, the focus now shifts to ensuring such a disaster never happens again. For the families of the 21 victims, however, the loss is irreparable, and the tragedy has left a community in mourning and a state confronting the consequences of regulatory failure.