AT LEAST 11 people have been killed and a further 80 injured after after a massive explosion at an illegal fireworks factory.
The terrifying incident took place at the Harda district factory in India’s Madhya Pradesh state on Tuesday as towers of flames engulfed the building.
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Eyewitnesses reported that several individuals remain trapped within the firecracker facility following the blast with the blaze reaching as high as 50ft.
Dozens of ambulances were deployed almost immediately, according to reports, while army helicopters were also requested.
The injured victims were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital to receive urgent medical treatment.
An employee of the Harda district factory stated: “We can confirm seven deaths so far.
“We have 65 injured admitted here and have referred 10 others to big hospitals.”
The sheer magnitude of the explosion, which took place at a plant on Magardha Road in the village of Bairagarh, Harda, was so immense that its impact could be felt within a radius of 15-16 kilometres.
The terrifying short clip showed people were running away from the fire scene to save their lives.
The force of the blast shattered glass windows and instilled a sense of panic among the surrounding area.
“It was like a feeling of a strong quake. We ran out and witnessed a blaze,” Madan, an eyewitness told Tahir.
Meanwhile, the ongoing rescue operation, as confirmed by the rescuers, is still underway.
Disturbing reports have emerged, indicating that some of the bodies retrieved from the scene are beyond recognition.
Abdul Rayees Khan, the incharge of the Harda Kotwali police station, informed Indian media that the majority of the casualties resulted from a stampede that ensued in the aftermath of the explosion.
“These are the people who died primarily as a result of a stampede following the blast; we have yet to reach the actual blast site because a fire has broken out and firefighters are working to extinguish it,” Khan said.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that over 50 ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Yadav also announced a compensation of INR 4 lakh for the families of the dead.
“Our minister Ranvendra Pratap Singh, DG Home, and over 400 police personnel have headed for the location. We are attempting to extinguish the fire and offer urgent aid to those harmed,” Yadav said.
“We will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment,” he stated.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of INR 2 lakh from the PM’s National Relief Fund to each of the deceased’s next of kin.
PM Modi has also promised INR 50,000 for the injured in this tragic incident.
“Distressed by the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.
“May those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting all those affected. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased.
“The injured will be given Rs. 50,000,” a statement from PMO’s office said in a post on X.
The locals believe that the death toll could be in the dozens.
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