At least one person was killed and six were injured after a powerful explosion occurred in a fireworks factory in Hyderabad on Saturday, according to officials.
A statement from the Rescue 1122 spokesperson said: “A powerful explosion was reported in a firecracker factory on the banks of the Laghari Goth river, Latifabad Police Station B Section limits,” adding that a fire subsequently broke out in the factory.“
Dr Vinesh Kumar, a duty doctor at Liaquat University Hospital, told Dawn: “One [body] was received expired in the burns ward. Six injured were also shifted to the burns ward with moderate to severe burn wounds.”
Dr Haya, a doctor at the burns ward, told Dawn that two of the six had burn wounds of “approximately 100 per cent”.
Earlier, Latifabad Assistant Commissioner Saud Lund put the number of dead at two, saying that he was monitoring the operation himself and four to five injured had been sent to hospitals.
He said the fireworks were being illegally manufactured in a house without a licence. “We can only tell you the actual position once the rescue operation is complete. There is rubble from one room that collapsed with the boundary wall, so there are reports of some people and children who were working there, we are trying to get them out.”
Hyderabad Senior Superintendent of Police Adeel Chandio told Dawn that the details of the factory’s licence were being verified.
The Rescue 1122 spokesperson added that a fire and rescue team, along with an ambulance and a fire brigade truck, were dispatched to the scene as soon as the information was received. The statement further noted that the department was currently conducting rescue and firefighting operations.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
