A total of five people were killed while 34 were injured in the early hours of Friday during a powerful midnight blast at a double-story firework factory located on the outskirts of a village in Punjab’s Muktsar district. The identification of the deceased has not yet been done. Most of the factory workers were migrants from the state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Situated in the Singhwala village in the Lambi constituency, the factory is now reduced to rubble due to the high intensity of the explosion. The force of the blast brought the entire double-story structure down, trapping many workers under the debris. The factory was owned by Tarsem Singh.

According to Jaspal Singh, the deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Lambi, the explosion occurred around midnight between 12 to 1 AM.

“We reached the spot without delay. So far, we have recovered five bodies from the debris, and rescue operations are still underway to ensure no one else is trapped,” said DSP Jaspal Singh. “Nearly 34 people have been injured and referred to various hospitals. Some admitted to the Civil Hospital in Badal, while others are undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bathinda. As per the current reports, all are in stable condition.”

Investigation Suggests…

Preliminary investigation revealed that the manufacturing and packaging of firecrackers were being carried out inside the same premises of the factory, while several workers were also inhabiting the factory building.

“Three bodies were recovered during the night and two more in the early morning hours. Based on the number of workers believed to be staying inside, we are hopeful that no one else is trapped, but the rescue operation continues as a precautionary measure,” DSP Singh said. “Once the injured are stable, we will record their statement to ascertain the exact cause of the blast. Strict actions will follow as per the law. The factory department has also been informed, and their team will soon visit the site to examine any violation under the Factories Act,” he further added.

While the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Muktsar, Akhil Chaudhary, told the national media that, “Initial investigation has revealed that two separate units were operating within the same premises. One for manufacturing and the other for packaging firecrackers. Some workers were busy with packaging last night while a few others were asleep. When the blast occurred, prima facie, it appears that the explosion was caused by materials used in firework manufacturing. However, our forensic team will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause. There is no need for panic at this stage.”

Cause of Explosion

“We have directed the department concerned to verify the records and provide details about the factory’s operations based on their findings. Appropriate legal actions will be initiated. Preliminary information suggests that the workers had recently shifted to this location for employment.”

The Lambi police officials are probing the explosion and its causes. Evidence suggests that there was mishandling or improper storage of explosives used in the firecracker manufacturing process, which might have caused the blast. However, there is scope for investigating other factors as well.

Locals of Singhwala and the surrounding village said that the blast woke them up because the explosion was very loud and intense. Villagers ran out of their houses in fear at midnight.

The death toll is stable, but can rise after medical first aid is provided to the injured. The Punjab Shri Muktsar Sahib district blast needs further investigation to bring out the real cause of the blast.

The major cause of explosions in firework factories is often unclear, as in many cases. Sometimes lightning strikes, mishandling of chemicals, smoking, using mobile phones, or even loose electrical connections can cause these explosions, according to a PESO report. This is because the oxidizer and fuels in the firecracker powder are sensitive to heat and touch, and if mixed together, the heat generated could cause a spark and set off an explosion.