Nagaur Blast: Powerful Explosion at Firecracker Unit Kills Two

A powerful explosion at an alleged illegal firecracker unit in Khatipura, Rajasthan's Nagaur district, reportedly killed two people and left several others seriously injured. The blast was so loud that its sound was heard up to around two kilometres away, while thick clouds of smoke rose over the area. Visuals from the spot showed the firecracker storage site reduced to rubble, with a large stock of crackers catching fire and exploding one after another. According to ABP News correspondent Mohammed Moin, the explosion occurred at a unit allegedly operating illegally despite government assurances ahead of Diwali that unauthorised firecracker factories would not be allowed to function. Two deaths have been confirmed, while several injured people were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Police and fire brigade teams reached the site, and rescue and relief operations were underway. The exact cause of the explosion and the circumstances under which the firecracker stock was stored are yet to be established.