Five killed, several critical in explosion at Amroha fireworks factory

Officials said around 25 people were working inside the factory, near Atarasi, at the time of the explosion. Citing eyewitnesses, they suggested that the explosion might have occurred after a child of one of the workers lit a firecracker, which set off nearby crackers and gunpowder. The factory building was reduced to rubble, and debris from the explosion was scattered within a 300-meter radius.

Sameer Ali, a local, who rushed to the site, recounted: “I heard what sounded like a tyre burst. When we came out, there was thick black smoke all around. We ran towards it and found the entire factory destroyed. Many workers were trapped under the debris.”

The five women—four of whom were identified as Ruksana, Ruma, Pravesh and Shehnaz— killed in the blast were from nearby Rajabpur and Papsara villages. Another victim was yet to be identified, police added. The critically injured were rushed to the district hospital. Several of the injured were still said to be critical.