Children among 21 killed in firecracker factory blast in India

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 21 workers, including seven children, have been killed and six others wounded in a blast in a firecracker warehouse in Deesa town in Gujarat state of India, a media report said on Wednesday.

The blast , involving a massive blaze, destroyed the warehouse, owned by Deepak Traders, and it took place on Tuesday around 9:30am, the Indian Express reported.

The explosion and subsequent fire caused widespread devastation, with local authorities confirming that 21 individuals lost their lives, while six others sustained injuries.

Local police officials told the media that the factory was operating illegally on the outskirts of Deesa town in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, while some reports suggest that the incident may have been triggered by the blast of a boiler.

kk/ma