31 August,2026 05:44 PM IST | Kaushambi (UP) | mid-day online correspondent
More than a dozen fire tenders and around two dozen ambulances were sent to the site. Pic/PTI
Five people were killed after a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Manori village in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, officials said, reported the PTI.
The blast took place in the Pipri police station area, near the Manori power house, causing extensive damage to the factory and nearby structures.
District Magistrate Amit Pal said five injured people who had been referred to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj died during treatment.
Officials said more than 18 people are suspected to have been injured in the explosion, the news agency reported.
The force of the explosion caused five to six houses located close to the factory to collapse, officials said.
Local residents initially feared that around 15 people could be trapped inside the factory. However, officials have not confirmed the number of people missing or trapped.
Rescue teams continued operations at the site, clearing debris and searching for survivors.
According to the PTI, District Magistrate Amit Pal, Kaushambi Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat and Prayagraj Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Mishra reached the site.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and fire brigade were deployed for the rescue operation.
More than a dozen fire tenders and around two dozen ambulances were sent to the site. More than 50 Air Force personnel were also assisting the rescue teams.
The fire brigade brought the blaze under control before rescue operations began to evacuate people and search the damaged factory.
Excavators were being used to remove the rubble and clear the debris in case anyone remained trapped underneath.
The intensity of the explosion also affected railway operations on the nearby Delhi-Howrah railway line, as per the PTI.
Train operations were suspended for around an hour as a precautionary measure.
The Ajmer-Sealdah Express, which had reached close to the incident site, was sent back to Manori railway station. The Vande Bharat Express travelling from Delhi to Varanasi was stopped at Saiyad Sarawan railway station, one station before the site, the news agency reported.
The explosion also damaged a high-voltage electricity pole and power lines in the area.
Electricity department personnel were working to repair the damaged infrastructure and restore power supply as soon as possible.
The Manori Air Force Station is located around two kilometres from the blast site.
Rescue and relief operations were continuing at the site.
Officials were yet to confirm the exact cause of the explosion. Further details were awaited as authorities continued their investigation and search operations.
(with PTI inputs)
