A massive explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat’s Deesa on Tuesday morning claimed at least 21 lives, reducing the warehouse to rubble and sending shockwaves through the city.
Eyewitness Girish Kotak, a businessman living 200 meters away, described the impact: “It felt like a plane had crashed. The walls shook, and then we saw dust and smoke rising near the industrial area.” The deafening blast triggered multiple explosions, causing parts of the structure to collapse, trapping workers inside.
As rescue teams searched through the debris, some bodies were found charred beyond recognition, while others were torn apart by the explosions. Fearing further detonations, locals fled, while fire brigades and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Illegal Factory Operated Without License
Gujarat minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel confirmed that the warehouse had no valid license to manufacture or store firecrackers. Authorities had previously denied a renewal of the storage permit due to safety violations.
A senior official, speaking anonymously, revealed that firecracker manufacturing is illegal in Gujarat. Investigators suspect Khubchand Thakkar, a wholesaler and resident of Deesa, was running the illegal operation. “He may have been producing fireworks at multiple locations,” the official said.
Arrests and Criminal History
Police arrested Thakkar and his son, Deepak, late on Tuesday. Deepak was previously booked in Ahmedabad last year for alleged cricket betting and is currently out on bail. The Thakkar family also operates another firecracker business in Himmatnagar.
Blast Caused by Boiler Explosion
An initial police probe suggests the fire was triggered by a boiler explosion, which ignited firecrackers and raw explosives, leading to a catastrophic chain reaction. Poor maintenance or excessive pressure buildup could have caused the boiler to rupture.
Child Labour, Years of Illegal Operations Under Radar
Authorities are investigating how the factory managed to function undetected for years. Reports indicate that workers, including children, were illegally employed to manufacture fireworks inside the warehouse, highlighting gross violations of labor and safety laws.
