At least 8 dead & 15 injured after huge blast at illegal firecracker factory sparked blaze as staff trapped under debris

EIGHT people have been killed after a devastating blast at an illegal firecracker factory in India. The deadly explosion was so intense that it could be heard several kilometres away, causing widespread panic as staff were left trapped under debris. A blast devastated a firecracker factory in India Credit: India TV Eight people were killed in the blast and many more injured Credit: NHP Fifteen people were reportedly injured in the ensuing blaze as the facility in Ahmedabad was consumed by flames. Emergency services – made up of five fire engines – rushed to the scene, wrestling to bring the inferno under control. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! After freeing several workers trapped under debris, victims were transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Officials have warned the death toll could still rise as desperate rescue operations continue. Firefighters are still working to free anyone trapped under the rubble Credit: NHP An investigation to determine the exact cause is underway Credit: NHP It remains unclear what caused the fire to start; however, investigators are considering the possibility of various safety violations. Police have since identified the factory operator as Mehul Dodiya. It was revealed that under his management the factory’s licence had been revoked, but illicit operations were still ongoing. In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the victims’ families. Most read in The Sun “Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap at a fireworks factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat,” he wrote on X. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.” The Prime Minister also said financial compensation would be provided. An investigation is now ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the shocking incident. Serious questions remain about how the factory was able to function after its license cancellation, who was responsible and whether safety violations contributed to the deadly blast. This comes after 20 people were killed after an explosion at another firecracker factory in India. Around 100 staff were inside the factory at the time of the initial blast with dozens injured with severe burns as they escaped the factory when it went up in flames. The powerful blast ripped through the facility in Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, India. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control, as search and rescue teams entered the ruins to recover the workers from beneath the debris. Rescue operations were hindered as firecrackers continued to burst long after the initial explosion. The impact of the blast was so severe that at least three buildings were reduced to rubble and completely destroyed. Authorities believe the blast originated at the front veranda of the factory, where workers were reportedly handling raw materials to finish the firecrackers. Comment now