Dewas firecracker factory blast toll rises to 5; CM Mohan Yadav visits hospitals
Dewas/Indore, May 15 The death toll in the firecracker factory explosion in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district has risen to five after two more severely injured workers died during treatment, officials said on Friday.
The two victims succumbed to their injuries late on Thursday night.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav travelled directly from New Delhi to Indore late Thursday night and visited hospitals to meet the injured. He first reached Choithram Hospital, where he interacted with victims of the Dewas accident and issued necessary instructions to doctors attending to them.
He later visited MY Hospital to inquire about the health and well-being of other injured patients. "The state government is committed to providing every possible assistance to those affected by this tragedy," CM Yadav said while speaking to the victims and their families.
The Chief Minister directed medical officials to ensure all the injured receive appropriate and comprehensive medical care. Demonstrating urgency, CM Yadav had cancelled his other scheduled engagements in Delhi after receiving information about the incident.
The factory has been sealed, and action under the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against owner Anil Malviya, who has been arrested. Police said cases are also being prepared against four persons, including three contractors associated with the factory, for alleged violations of safety conditions under the Explosives Rules.
Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Ashish Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry to examine the exact cause of the explosion, verify compliance with the Explosives Rules and the National Building Code-2016, and check the licences issued for operating the factory.
On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister and district in-charge Minister Jagdish Devda visited the blast site and reviewed the relief measures with officials. He later met the injured workers admitted to Dewas District Hospital and Amaltas Hospital. "The state government stands firmly with the affected families in this difficult time. Every possible assistance and medical support will be provided to the injured," Devda said.
He added that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence during the investigation.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety practices and the monitoring of firecracker manufacturing units in Madhya Pradesh. The district administration has directed departments to intensify inspections and verify licences and safety norms at all explosive manufacturing units operating in the region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
NSA invoked already 👍. That's the right message – no one can play with workers' lives. But I hope the magisterial inquiry goes beyond just booking the owner. Need to check why the district administration wasn't doing regular inspections. Tab tak toh sab so rahe the, jab tak blast nahi hua?
These firecracker factories are always in residential areas with zero safety. I've seen places in Sivakasi and here in MP – same story. Workers earn ₹200-300 a day but risk their lives daily. Government should provide compensation and jobs to the families immediately.
CM Yadav reaching from Delhi directly shows good intent. But why are such accidents repeating? Recall similar blast in Bhopal last year. We need a proper system – surprise inspections every month, not just after incidents. Aar paar ki soch chahiye ab.
Working in India as a safety consultant, I see these patterns everywhere – lack of PPE, overcrowded factories, no fire exits. The NSA against owner is good but shouldn't stop at that. Need systemic reform in how these units are licensed and monitored.
Very sad for the families. But I also think we need to ask why workers in such dangerous jobs don't have basic insurance or safety training. Cricket mein toh crores lag jaate hain but workers' safety pe koi dhyan nahi. Hope this time the inquiry leads to real change.
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