11 killed, 60 houses gutted in blast in cracker factory in MP’s Harda

Sixty-three people were injured in the blast and more than hundred houses near to the factory have been evacuated in Bairagarh locality of Harda in Madhya Pradesh

Eleven persons were killed and 63 persons were injured in a blast in an illegal firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda on Tuesday morning, people familiar with the matter said.

Police said the whole city was engulfed with black smoke after the blast in the cracker factory in Harda. (Representative Image)

Sixty nearby houses were gutted in the fire in Bairagarh locality of Harda district and over three dozen commuters came under the influence of explosion. The administration has evacuated more than 100 houses. A large number of two wheelers also caught fire in the explosion.

The fire has been controlled and rescue operation is going on in the remains of the factory as the labourers might be buried under the rubble, said Rishi Garg, collector Harda.

Harda civil surgeon Dr Manish Sharma said, “As many as 11 people were killed while over 63 were injured.” The injured have been referred to Narmadapuram and Bhopal by making green corridor.

Harda superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Kanchan said, “A massive explosion took place in the factory on Tuesday morning. The whole city engulfed with black smoke. After receiving the information, fire brigade vehicles have been sent to the spot. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Ambulances and fire engines have been called from Harda, Betul, Khandwa and Narmadapuram.”

According to local administration, it was informed that there were 100 labourers in the factory. Chief minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has called an emergency meeting regarding the incident. The CM has immediately instructed minister Uday Pratap Singh, additional chief secretary Ajit Kesari and deputy general Home Guard Arvind Kumar to go there by helicopter. The Medical College in Bhopal, Indore and the burn unit in AIIMS Bhopal have been asked to make necessary preparations.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are reaching the spot. The chief minister has announced ₹4 lakh ex-gratia for the next kin of the deceased.

The factory is stated to be owned by a businessman Raju Agrawal.