NEW DELHI (AFP) – At least eight people died and 80 were injured yesterday in a giant explosion at a firework factory in India that saw balls of flames soar into the sky, officials said.
Footage on Indian television showed a tower of flame after the explosion at the firecracker plant, with dozens of ambulances sent and army helicopters called in to evacuate the wounded.
Senior district police official Rajeshwari Mahobia told AFP there were “eight deaths so far and around 80 injured”, at the factory in Harda in Madhya Pradesh state, adding that “the death toll is likely to go up”. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said reports of the explosion were “very sad news” and said medics at burn units in nearby major hospitals had been asked to “make necessary preparations”.
“Ambulances are being rushed to Harda from the surrounding areas, and the army has been contacted to arrange for helicopters,” Yadav said in a post on X.
At least 20 ambulances were at the site, with 50 more being sent to help those injured, he added.
One policeman told the Times of India that the dead included those trampled during the panic.
