Blast in Gurdaspur firecracker factory has claimed 10 lives
At least 23 people were killed in a huge blast in a firecracker factory in Gurdaspur, Punjab. The intensity of the blast was so much that it was heard from several kilometres away. 27 people were injured
The firecracker factory is located in Batala in Gurdaspur. Fire engines, police and ambulances were rushed to the site It was feared that about 50 people were trapped under the debris.
Police, Fire Brigade and medics are at the spot
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh mourned the deaths and said that District Collector and Senior Superintendent of Police are heading the rescue effort.
The firecracker factory is located in a residential area.
The explosion damaged the buildings nearby, shattering window panes and even bringing down the roofs. The explosion was heard kilometres away, local residents said.
The blast took place around 4 pm
Actor turned politician and Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol said he was "saddened to know about the incident"
"Saddened to hear about the news of blast in Batala factory. NDRF teams and local administration have been rushed for rescue operation," Deol said in his tweet.
The blast took place around 4 pm at the factory located in a residential area, Inspector General (Border Range) SPS Parmar told PTI.
Batala resident Rajpal Khokkar was passing by after a visit to a nearby gurdwara when the explosion took place.
"When I heard the loud blast, I fell down. When I gained consciousness, I found myself in hospital,” he said.
Sahib Singh had just left the factory after buying crackers. The blast left him unconscious.
Another man, Sukhdev Singh, said two others who were with him to buy crackers died in the blast.
It is also feared that some family members of the factory owner have also been killed in the blast.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief. "Saddened to learn about the loss of lives due to an explosion at a firecracker factory in Batala, Punjab," he tweeted. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too offered condolences.
Fire tenders and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed for the rescue operation.
Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujjwal said the immediate priority of the administration was to save those who may be trapped under the debris.
"We are trying to find out if anyone is missing," he said.
According to local residents, a blast had taken place in the same factory in 2017.
Some of the residents claimed that several complaints have been filed with the district administration in the past, asking that the factory to be closed down.
To a question by reporters, the deputy commissioner said the factory owner had applied for the license but its status was yet to be checked.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Batala) has been asked to conduct the probe, an official release said.
"Deeply anguished to learn the loss of life due to the blast in the firecracker factory in Batala. Rescue operations are underway with the DC and the SSP heading relief efforts," the chief minister tweeted.
Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol said he was saddened by the tragedy.
Amarinder Singh directed Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa to rush to the spot.
He also told the deputy commissioner to provide the best possible treatment to the injured free of cost, the state government said.
The blast took place a day before the 532nd wedding anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, popularly known as 'Babe da Viah'.
The entire city was in festive mood for the celebrations, while tight security arrangements had been made for the same.
An ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each has been announced for relatives of those killed.
The Punjab government said the seven severely injured referred to the Amritsar medical college will get Rs 50,000 each. Those with minor injuries will get Rs 25,000 each
Amarinder Singh directed both the civil and police administration to extend all possible help to the victims' families.
Punjab Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also took stock of the situation along with senior administration and police officers.
The impact of the blast was such that a few nearby buildings were damaged.
(With PTI inputs)
Watch | Massive explosion in Gurdaspur factory
