At least two people were killed and four others seriously injured after a powerful explosion tore through a firecracker manufacturing unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Tuesday afternoon, officials said. The incident has once again raised concerns over safety compliance at small-scale firecracker facilities operating in rural areas, reported PTI.
Explosion during chemical mixing triggers deadly blaze
The blast occurred around noon at a makeshift unit operating from a tin shed inside an old farmhouse in Konsai village of Wada taluka. According to local authorities, nearly 35 workers – most of them women – were present at the site and engaged in producing thread-bound firecrackers when the explosion took place, reported PTI.
Officials said the incident was triggered during the mixing of chemicals, a highly sensitive stage in firecracker manufacturing. The impact of the explosion was severe, instantly killing one worker and causing a fire that rapidly engulfed the structure.
A woman who sustained critical burn injuries later succumbed at a hospital, taking the death toll to two.
Victims identified, injured shifted for treatment
Authorities identified the deceased as Bhavesh Dileep Vavare (35) and Monica Sachin Padvale (30). Four other workers suffered serious injuries and were initially rushed to a rural hospital in Wada, reported PTI.
Due to the severity of their condition, some of the injured were later shifted to higher medical facilities, including a sub-district hospital in Bhiwandi and another specialised care centre for advanced treatment.
Officials said the injured include Monica Mahendra Jadhav (30), Jagruti Jagdish Gavate (27), Pratibha Pratap Pawar (30), and Monica Mohan Vardi (25), reported PTI.
Rescue operations swift, fire brought under control
Emergency response teams, including fire brigade personnel and police, reached the site shortly after the explosion. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it could spread further, preventing additional casualties.
However, the force of the explosion caused the tin shed to collapse, scattering debris and splinters across the surrounding area. Authorities noted that body parts of the victims were found some distance away due to the intensity of the blast, reported PTI.
The remains have been sent for post-mortem examination.
Unit began operations recently, probe underway
Preliminary investigations indicate that the unit had only recently started operations, around April 10, and employed daily-wage workers from nearby villages such as Jamghar, Konsai, Palsai, and Alman, reported PTI.
Officials suspect that raw materials used in the manufacturing process were sourced externally and brought to the site without adequate oversight.
Police have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether the facility had the required permissions and adhered to mandated safety protocols.
(With inputs from PTI)
