Saturday, March 29, 2025
A major industrial tragedy struck Punjab’s Muktsar district in the early hours of Friday as a firecracker manufacturing unit collapsed following a powerful explosion, killing at least five workers. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in Singhewala village, close to the Haryana border.
Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion originated in the firecracker production area of the unit, which was operating at night. The impact of the blast led to the complete collapse of the building, trapping several laborers under the debris. Most of the workers were reportedly migrants, engaged in manufacturing and packing fireworks.
Muktsar SSP Akhil Chaudhary confirmed that two bodies were recovered from the rubble in the initial phase of the rescue operation. He added that nearly 20 injured laborers have been admitted to AIIMS Bathinda and other hospitals in the Muktsar region. Medical teams and rescue personnel remain on-site, working urgently to locate and extract anyone still trapped.
“There is no evidence of a fire breaking out. The deaths appear to have resulted from the structural collapse of the building following the explosion,” said SSP Chaudhary. “The exact cause of the blast is yet to be determined.”
District authorities have initiated a full-scale relief and rescue mission, supported by local police and disaster response teams. The administration has also launched an investigation into the legality and safety compliance of the firecracker unit.
Locals say the explosion was so loud it shook nearby homes, prompting an immediate emergency response. As fears grow that more individuals may still be buried under the debris, rescue operations are expected to continue throughout the day.
Officials have urged residents to stay away from the site while emergency services carry out the recovery work. Further updates are awaited as the situation unfolds.
