Harda firecracker factory, where 11 died, had more explosives than permitted

Madhya Pradesh, Feb 7 :  The firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda, where explosions killed 11 people on Tuesday, held a license. However, the explosives housed in the factory were much more than the amount specified in the license, Harda Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) told India Today.

The explosions also injured more than 170 people, after which two of its owners, identified as Rajesh Agrawal and Somesh Agrawal, were arrested from Sarangpur in Rajgarh district by evening.

Though the cause of the blasts was not known, the owners were booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other charges, after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against them.

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The first blast was followed by intermittent explosions. Their deafening sound was heard 20 to 25 km away from the spot, where thick plumes of smoke billowed.

Morning visuals from the firecracker factory, as shared by news agency ANI, showed a team of fire brigade and other rescue personnel at the spot.

The factory is located in the Bairagarh locality on the outskirts of Harda town, about 150 km from the state capital Bhopal.

Another person, named Rafiq Khan, was also detained for questioning in connection with the incident.

Police sources told news agency PTI that Khan was believed to be the manager of the factory.

According to eyewitnesses, several bodies were lying on the spot, while many people were reported missing after the explosion and fire at the factory, PTI reported.

Videos of the incident surfaced on social media, which showed intermittent explosions taking place at the unit as people frantically ran to save themselves.

-The India Today