Kaushambi (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 31: At least 11 people were killed and five others injured after a massive fire triggered a series of explosions at a firecracker factory in Manouri Bazaar under Pipri police station limits in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district on Monday, officials said.
District Magistrate Amit Pal Sharma said rescue and relief operations were continuing at the site, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed to assist in the search.
According to the district administration, 11 deaths have been confirmed so far, while five injured people are undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital in Prayagraj. Officials said medical assistance would be provided to anyone rescued during the ongoing search operation.
Authorities fear that more people could still be trapped beneath the debris following the explosions, which caused parts of the factory and nearby structures to collapse. Police and administrative teams have cordoned off the area and intensified search, rescue and clearance operations.
The District Magistrate assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident. Criminal cases would be registered under stringent provisions of law, while measures including property attachment would be initiated in accordance with government directives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officials to accelerate rescue operations and ensure proper treatment for the injured. He also instructed the administration to provide all possible assistance to affected families.
Local residents joined emergency efforts soon after the explosions. Villagers were seen pulling people from the debris and carrying burn victims on makeshift stretchers to the roadside, where ambulances transported them to SRN Hospital. A child was among those reported to be critically injured, while several residents of nearby houses also sustained injuries.
The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 to each injured person.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also expressed sorrow over the incident and directed hospital authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured, stressing that saving lives was the government’s immediate priority.
The scale of devastation became evident as relatives searched through the rubble for missing family members, while anxious crowds gathered at hospitals seeking information about those affected.
