Death Toll In Gujarat's Banaskantha Firecracker Factory Blast Rises To 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.  

The death toll in the firecracker godown explosion in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district has risen to 21.

Banaskantha Collector Mihir Pravinkumar Patel confirmed that most of the deceased workers were from the Dewas and Harda districts in Madhya Pradesh. He added that the identification process had been completed and that the bodies were being sent to their native places with support from local administrations, news agency ANI reported.  Speaking to the media, Patel said: "Majority of the deceased workers were from Dewas and Harda district of MP. The minister (Chouhan Nagar Singh), senior officers, and local administration officers from MP arrived here last night. The families of the deceased were also present at Deesa Civil Hospital yesterday." 

He further stated, "After completing the identification process of the 10 people from the Dewas district in the presence of their family members, the deceased were sent to their native land in ambulances. A local administration team from the Harda district has also reached Deesa Civil Hospital. After the identification process, the eight deceased from the Harda district will also be sent to their native place."

Legal Action Underway  

Madhya Pradesh Minister Chouhan Nagar Singh also addressed the media regarding the incident, assuring strict legal action against the culprits.

"As per the instructions of the MP and Gujarat CMs, teams from MP and Gujarat are working on this incident. Both the Gujarat and MP governments and the Prime Minister have announced compensations for the families of the deceased," he said.  

He further added, "I have spoken to the District Collector about the seriousness of this matter as well. The government will take strict action against the culprits. The administration is taking legal action." 

PM Modi Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.  

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also declared Rs 2 lakh in ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased workers and Rs 50,000 for the injured.   Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel extended financial assistance of  Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.  

The explosion took place at approximately 9:45 AM on Tuesday at the firecracker godown in the Deesa area, which caused the structure to collapse, trapping several workers inside.  

Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana confirmed that a case had been registered in connection with the incident.