Explosion At Punjab Firecracker Factory Kills Five Muktsar Sahib
A firecracker factory explosion in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib district killed at least four and injured around 25. The blast occurred in Pind Singh Wala near Lambi.
Punjab Factory Blast: A massive explosion at a firecracker factory killed at least five people in the Sri Muktsar Sahib district in Punjab on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The incident occurred in the Pind Singh Wala near Lambi. As many as 34 were injured in the incident. A police team is on the spot for rescue and relief operations. The injured have been admitted to AIIMS, Bathinda.
The two-storey building collapsed, trapping several workers. Rescue efforts are ongoing. As per local sources, around 40 people worked at the factory.
The factory is owned by a man identified as Tarsem Singh, according to The Indian Express. Authorities believe several workers were inside at the time, some asleep and others occupied with packaging duties. Many of the factory’s employees were migrant labourers hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, making identification of the deceased a challenge as rescue efforts continue, the IE report stated.
'Midnight Explosion'
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jaspal Singh, who is leading the response on the ground, was quoted as saying that the explosion occurred between midnight and 1 AM. "Our teams reached the spot without delay," DSP Singh said. "We’ve recovered five bodies from the debris so far, and search and rescue operations are still underway. We're working carefully to ensure no one remains trapped."
According to officials, 34 people were injured in the blast and rushed to nearby hospitals. Some were admitted to the Civil Hospital in Badal, while others are being treated at AIIMS Bathinda. Most of the injured are reported to be in stable condition.
Factory Housed Workers And Flouted Safety Norms
According to The Indian Express, preliminary investigation points to safety violations in both the manufacturing and packaging of firecrackers. To make matters worse, many of the workers were also living within the premises.
"Three bodies were pulled from the rubble during the night," said DSP Singh. "Two more were recovered in the early hours. Based on our estimates of how many workers were staying in the building, we’re hopeful no one else is inside, but the rescue efforts will continue as a precaution," he said.
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