Madhya Pradesh: 11 Dead, 60 injured in firecracker factory explosion

Madhya Pradesh: A devastating explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in the Bairagarh locality of Harda district, Madhya Pradesh, has claimed 11 lives and left at least 60 others injured on Tuesday morning. 

The explosion occurred in the morning wreaked havoc on the surrounding area destroyed nearly sixty nearby houses and caused injuries to over three dozen commuters. Authorities have evacuated over 100 houses due to the continuous threat of explosions at the factory. Additionally, numerous two-wheelers were engulfed in flames as a result of the blast.

#WATCH | Firefighting operation is underway at the firecracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh where a massive explosion took place today.

Six people have died and 59 others are injured in the incident. pic.twitter.com/rbUFx6v6UH

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024

What has Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said?

In response to the tragic incident, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his condolences, calling the news "very sad" and confirming that State Minister Uday Pratap Singh and senior officials were en route to the scene. He further stated that medical colleges in Bhopal and Indore, as well as burn units in AIIMS Bhopal, had been instructed to prepare for the influx of injured individuals. Fire brigades from Indore and Bhopal were also dispatched to aid in the emergency response efforts.

#WATCH | On the Harda incident, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says "Six people have died and more than 50 people are injured in this incident. Over 50 ambulances were sent to the spot. Our minister Uday Pratap Singh, DG Home and around 400 police officials have left for the spot.… pic.twitter.com/D6fLJ21hGv

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024

Madhya Pradesh minister Uday Pratap Singh, upon reaching the site said that the injured had been transferred to hospitals in Hoshangabad and Bhopal. He also mentioned the presence of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) at the scene, led by the SDRF Additional Director General, who is coordinating rescue operations.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh minister Uday Pratap Singh says "We had a conversation with the Collector. The injured have been shifted to Hoshangabad and Bhopal. So far 6 deaths have been confirmed. A team of SDRF is working here under the guidance of SDRF ADG who is present on the… pic.twitter.com/JkWcDbUgwV

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024

Moreover, describing the magnitude of the explosion, Harda's Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kanchan, reported that the entire city was engulfed in black smoke following the incident. He stated that upon receiving the information, fire brigade vehicles were immediately dispatched to the area. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and ambulances and fire engines from neighboring districts have been summoned to assist in the response efforts.