21 From MP Dead In Gujarat Factory Fire PM, MP & Gujarat CMs Announce Ex-Gratia | FPJ
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): All 21 persons, who are residents of Harda and Dewas districts lost their lives while six others were injured, after an explosion and blaze ripped through a godown where firecrackers were allegedly stored and manufactured illegally, leading to collapse of the structure in Banaskantha district on Tuesday, officials said.
Chief minister Mohan Yadav has sent minister Nagar Singh Chauhan to monitor rescue work going on in the state. He has expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 Lakh to the deceased family and Rs 50k to those injured.
Banaskantha District collector Mihir Patel told reporters, ‘All deceased were originally from Haliya village in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh’. Sources informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief and declared financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to families of the deceased and Rs 50k to injured persons.
The blast was so intense that it sent body parts of workers flying 200-300 metres away. The impact brought down the RCC slab of the structure. Even family members of workers staying on the same premises were crushed to death after blocks of slabs fell on them, Banaskantha collector Mihir Patel said.
Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters that seven fire teams, eight ambulances, a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team and four bulldozers were rushed to the site for rescue operations.
Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said forensic teams are trying to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
Makwana said the structure- Deepak Traders- was owned by father-son duo Deepak Mohnani and Khubchand Mohnani.
“Prima facie, they were stocking firecrackers illegally. Police have registered an FIR, and formed five teams for investigation. A special investigation team (SIT) headed by a Dy SP-level officer has also been formed,” he said, adding that some persons have been rounded up for questioning.
Deesa Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Neha Panchal said the godown had initially obtained a licence for storing firecrackers but it was not renewed after it expired on December 31, 2024, due to lapses.
“They had applied for renewal of the license after it expired. After authorities found that the unit lacked proper facilities, the renewal process was put on hold,” Panchal said.
CM Yadav expresses grief
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed profound grief over the untimely death of workers hailing from Madhya Pradesh due to the explosion in a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
Chief Minister Yadav said the state government is in constant touch with the Gujarat government regarding the incident, the statement said. All necessary efforts will be made to assist the workers and help their families, Chief Minister Yadav said in the statement.
Nine workers from Dewas
Nine workers from Dewas district were killed in a devastating boiler explosion that occurred at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. All the victims hailed from Sandalpur village in Kathegaon tehsil. The deceased were identified as Lakhan Bhopa, Sunita Bhopa, Kesharbai Bhopa, Radha Bhopa, Rukma Bhopa, Abhishek Bhopa, Rakesh Bhopa, Lali Bhopa and Kiran Bhopa.
