5 killed, 29 injured in blast at firecracker factory in Punjab's Muktsar

Five people were killed and 29 injured as a blast occurred at an illegal firecracker factory near Fatuhiwala and Singhewala villages on the Singhewala-Kotli Road in Lambi segment of this district in the early hours of Friday.

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The explosion, which occurred around 1 am, was so severe that the two-storey building partially collapsed, trapping nearly 40 workers – most of them migrant labourers – under the debris. 

Arun Kumar, a worker, said, “We were sleeping after the night shift when all of a sudden a blast occurred and many of us got trapped under the debris. A new batch of workers had recently joined the factory.”

Rescue teams, including police and volunteers from several NGOs, rushed to the spot. At the time of filing this report, rescue operations were on. The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

Sources said the factory is owned by Tarsem Singh, who is affiliated with the AAP. 

Talking to The Tribune, Sub-Inspector Karamjit Kaur, SHO, Killianwali police station, said, “Five deaths have been confirmed, while 29 people are injured. We are registering a case. A team of forensic science experts is about to reach the spot.”

Deputy Commissioner Abhijeet Kaplish said the administration had not granted permission to the factory.“Permission for such work is given under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The person concerned had applied, but due to pending reports from various departments, the permission had not yet been given.”

“Our priority is to take care of the injured and ensure they receive the best possible treatment. Strictest action will be taken against the culprits as per the law,” said the deputy commissioner.

Meanwhile, Muktsar SSP Akhil Chaudhary, who visited the site, said the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

The injured were taken to various hospitals, including AIIMS in Bathinda.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal has demanded a thorough probe into the incident and urged the state government to promptly release adequate compensation to the victims’ families.

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who is the MLA from Lambi, said, “This is an unfortunate incident. I condemn it. The factory owner, Tarsem Singh from Singhewala village, is a supporter of the AAP, but that does not permit anyone to engage in illegal activity. The law will take its own course. I have heard that he had applied for permission, which was yet to be granted. I am leaving Chandigarh to visit the site and those injured.”