Five Killed in Firecracker Factory Blast, 24 Injured in U.P.'s Kaushambi

A massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Manori village in the Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh has left at least five people dead and more than 18 others injured. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon near the Pipri police station area, causing severe structural damage to the facility and surrounding buildings. The deceased died while receiving treatment at SRN Hospital in Prayagraj after being referred from local medical facilities.

The powerful blast occurred near the local power house, destroying the factory and causing five to six nearby houses to collapse. In addition to structural damage, the explosion severed high-voltage electricity lines and knocked down a power pole, resulting in power disruptions across the area. Electricity department personnel are currently working to repair the damaged power infrastructure and restore electricity to affected residents.

The intensity of the blast also impacted rail transport, forcing officials to suspend train operations along the busy Delhi-Howrah railway line for approximately one hour. Train movements were halted or redirected as a safety precaution. The Ajmer-Sealdah Express was sent back to the nearby Manori railway station, while the Delhi to Varanasi Vande Bharat Express was temporarily held at the Saiyad Sarawan station prior to reaching the blast site.

Emergency response operations were launched immediately following the explosion, involving teams from the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the local police, and the fire brigade. Kaushambi District Magistrate Amit Pal, Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat, and Prayagraj Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Mishra arrived at the scene to supervise the operations. More than a dozen fire tenders and approximately two dozen ambulances were deployed to control the blaze and transport victims.

With the Manori Air Force Station located just two kilometers from the incident site, over 50 Air Force personnel joined local authorities to assist in search and rescue efforts. Fire crews brought the main blaze under control, and rescue workers are now using excavators and heavy machinery to clear debris and search for any individuals who may remain trapped beneath the rubble.

Local authorities noted that initial reports from residents feared up to 15 workers might have been trapped inside the facility when the blast occurred, though official counts remain unconfirmed as search efforts continue. Investigations into the exact cause of the firecracker factory explosion are underway, with further details expected as rescue teams complete the site clearance.

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