Daijiworld Media Network - Kanpur

Kanpur, Oct 9: A massive explosion at a busy marketplace in Kanpur’s Moolganj area left eight people injured on Wednesday evening, causing widespread panic and damage to nearby shops and vehicles. The blast occurred outside Abdul Hameed’s toy shop at Mishri Bazaar around 6:50 PM and is believed to have been triggered by firecrackers kept in a scooter.

The force of the explosion shattered windows of nearby houses, collapsed part of a shop’s false ceiling, and damaged walls in at least six shops. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as smoke and flames spread through the crowded market. Among the injured, Suhana (70), Abdul (60), Riyadueen (70), and Ashwani Kumar (50) sustained critical injuries, with doctors reporting over 50% burns. Two minors, Mursaleen and Raees, were also hurt. Four critically injured victims were shifted to the Trauma Centre in Lucknow, while others were discharged after primary treatment.

CCTV footage from a nearby cloth shop captured the moment of the explosion, showing cartons stacked outside the store igniting the blast. Two scooters parked nearby were destroyed, and a woman suffered severe burns when her clothes caught fire. Shopkeepers rushed her to a hospital immediately.

Kanpur police, led by Commissioner Raghubir Lal, quickly arrived at the scene along with bomb disposal and anti-sabotage teams. Units from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) assisted in the investigation. Large quantities of illegally stored firecrackers were seized from over a dozen shops during overnight searches, and around 20 people have been detained for questioning.

The police said while the blast appears to be related to firecrackers, all angles are being investigated, with forensic experts collecting samples from the site to determine the exact cause. The incident has raised concerns about illegal firecracker storage and safety in crowded marketplaces.