At least 11 people died and 149 were injured in a massive blast followed by a fire in a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda district on Tuesday. A rescue operation to find and extract workers still trapped in the debris of the collapsed building was interrupted by continuing explosions, and officials were forced to evacuate at least 100 houses in the vicinity.
A first information report (FIR) has been filed. A senior police officer said that one person has been arrested so far. He said that various teams have been formed to nab the others.
M.P. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has formed a high-level panel to oversee investigations. District officials said that a fire incident had previously occurred at the same factory two years ago, and that the factory had been shut due to other violations four months ago, though they claimed that it had valid licenses. A State Congress leader said that the factory’s owners, who are missing, are being protected by the government.
