Major Tragedy Strikes Banaskantha as Fire and Collapse Devastate Unit
Palanpur (Gujarat), April 1 — At least 13 people lost their lives and four others sustained injuries after a powerful blast ripped through a firecracker factory near Deesa in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district on Tuesday morning. The explosion triggered a massive fire and caused the building to collapse, trapping several people under the debris.Explosion Occurred During Production Process
The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. when an explosion shook the factory premises. According to Collector Mihir Patel, the blast was so intense that the entire RCC slab of the building collapsed, instantly causing chaos and devastation. Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion took place during the production of firecrackers.“Thirteen bodies have been recovered so far. Four individuals have been injured but are in stable condition,” said Patel.
Families Among the Victims
Officials revealed that not only workers but also their family members resided on the premises. They too were caught in the disaster, with many feared to have been trapped under the rubble following the collapse.Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue operations began swiftly, with firefighters from Deesa municipality managing to douse the blaze. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) joined local authorities in a continuing effort to search for survivors and recover the dead from the wreckage.Neha Panchal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Deesa, confirmed that parts of the building crumbled following the fire, further complicating the rescue mission.
