AHMEDABAD: At least eight people were reported dead and nine others injured after an explosion at a firecracker unit in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Saturday, according to officials and media reports.
The blast occurred at a unit identified as Talent Fireworks in the Vastral area. According to officials, the unit was allegedly operating despite its licence having been cancelled.
Fire department officials said they received information about the explosion at around 3:30 p.m. Firefighters and personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) reached the site and began rescue and relief operations.
The injured were taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and LG Hospital in Maninagar for treatment. Officials said some of the injured were in serious condition.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. Authorities said an investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the reported operation of the unit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery. In a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, he announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Rescue and assessment work was continuing at the site, officials said.
