Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal/Dewas
Bhopal/Dewas, May 14: A devastating explosion ripped through a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tonkkala village of Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district on Tuesday, leaving several people dead and many others seriously injured.
Officials said a number of victims suffered critical burn injuries and were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals, while some of the severely injured were later referred to Indore for specialised treatment.
Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the incident was deeply distressing. In a message posted on X, he said senior officials, including deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary, and district authorities had been directed to reach the spot and oversee rescue and relief efforts.
The Chief Minister also announced that a formal investigation into the cause of the explosion had been ordered. The state government has sanctioned financial aid of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives, while ensuring free medical treatment for all injured victims.
Residents described the explosion as extremely powerful, saying the impact shook nearby homes and spread panic across the area. Eyewitnesses recounted horrifying scenes after the blast, with debris and human remains scattered around the site.
A large section of the factory was completely destroyed, reduced to heaps of rubble and twisted metal. Moments after the explosion, chaos erupted as villagers and workers rushed to rescue those trapped under the debris.
Police personnel, firefighters, and rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene and launched emergency operations to control the fire and evacuate the injured. Local villagers also joined the rescue efforts, helping transport victims to hospitals.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over safety standards in firecracker manufacturing units. Earlier in February, a similar explosion at a firecracker factory in Harda claimed at least 11 lives and injured 149 people after a massive blaze engulfed the premises.