5 Dead, 25 Injured as Firecracker Factory Explosion Brings Down Building in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib

At least five people were killed and nearly 25 others injured after a massive explosion ripped through a firecracker factory in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib district on Friday morning, causing a two-storey building to collapse and trap several laborers beneath the debris.

The blast occurred at a factory unit located on the Singhawali-Kotli road in Sri Muktsar Sahib, with rescue operations currently underway to extract those trapped under the rubble.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh from Lambi confirmed the incident to news agency PTI, stating that the explosion completely brought down the two-storey structure. Emergency response teams, including local police and district administration officials, rushed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the blast.

The injured victims have been transported to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda for medical treatment. The severity of injuries among the 25 wounded individuals remains unclear at this time.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. DSP Jaspal Singh confirmed that the reason behind the blast is currently under investigation, with forensic teams expected to examine the site once rescue operations conclude.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in small-scale manufacturing units across Punjab, particularly those dealing with explosive materials like firecrackers.

This tragedy comes just two days after another explosion-related incident in Maharashtra. On Wednesday, a family of four in Pune suffered serious burn injuries when a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) leak triggered an explosion at their home in the Wadkar Mala locality.

In that incident, preliminary investigations suggested the explosion occurred due to a loose stove knob that caused a gas leak. When the woman attempted to light the stove using a lighter, it triggered the blast.

Firecracker manufacturing units across India have faced scrutiny over safety protocols, especially during the festive season when production increases significantly. Many small-scale units operate with minimal safety measures, putting workers at considerable risk.

The Punjab government has previously announced stricter safety norms for such manufacturing units, but implementation remains inconsistent across districts.