Expired licence behind Ahmedabad firecracker unit explosion? Multiple dead; what we know so far

At least eight people died on Saturday after an explosion at the Talent Fireworks Factory at the Ramol-Gatrad Road of the Mehmudpura area in Ahmedabad, while several others have also been injured.

Police officials said that more deaths are likely, since a number of those hospitalised are in a critical condition.

The explosion allegedly led to a fire on the premises at about 3:30 PM on Saturday, at which time about 12-15 people had been working on the premises, as per initial reports.

A PTI report noted that the unit, which had been set up on an open farm, had been operating without a valid licence, as per Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore.

Personnel from Rapid Action Force (RAF), as well as the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations.

The official said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences will be registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act.

The accused have been identified as factory operator Mehul Dodia, who allegedly operated the factory despite its licence being revoked, along with 3-4 others, as per an ANI report.

"An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," wrote PM Narendra Modi in an X post, condoling the deaths.

According to Chief Fire Officer (Crime Branch) Amit Dongre, a probe will be launched into Talent Fireworks Factory to verify two things.

Firstly, its Building Use permission will be checked to see if the facility was located in a "permitted zone", and secondly, it will be checked whether a Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) was required for the unit.