Alwar: A deadly factory explosion around 9 am Monday killed seven workers and left four with severe burns in Khushkheda in Rajasthan’s Khairthal-Tijara district. The blast occurred in a unit registered as a garment factory in the Bhiwadi industrial area, but which was allegedly manufacturing firecrackers illegally.“Seven persons have died in the incident. It was a garment factory, but firecrackers were being manufactured inside it illegally,” said Sumitra Pareek, additional district magistrate, Khairthal-Tijara. She added that two people trapped in the factory were rescued and admitted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital in a critical condition. Separately, officials said four severely injured workers were referred to Delhi AIIMS.Three of the dead have been identified as Mintu, Nitesh and Sujan from Motihari district of Bihar. Officials said DNA samples of the deceased have been taken to establish identities as the bodies were badly charred, and that five workers have been identified so far. More workers from Motihari are among the deceased, officials said.According to the administration, the unit was registered under the name ‘Readymate Garment’, with the registration in the name of Rajendra Kumar. Officials said the factory had been leased out and that firecrackers were being manufactured there illegally.Officials said 12 to 15 workers were inside when three explosions occurred in quick succession, triggering a fire that spread through the premises. As per the preliminary report, there were more than 20 people inside the factory when the fire broke out; many escaped but nine were trapped and seven were burnt alive. The fire was brought under control after more than one-and-a-half hours.Gunpowder, firecrackers and packing boxes were recovered from the factory, officials said, adding that a lock used to hang on the factory gate while firecrackers were made from gunpowder inside. CCTV footage has surfaced showing a loud explosion before the fire, and footage shows the building shaking. Rescue teams recovered scattered body parts and collected them in polythene for identification, with DNA sampling underway. A forensic team took samples of bones and burnt firecrackers from the factory. Police said factory manager Abhinandan was taken into custody and was being interrogated. District Collector Artika Shukla said the factory was registered as ‘Readymate Garment’, but no garment-related work was being carried out there. She said small explosive material and bundles of firecrackers were found during the investigation, RIICO officials are examining the factory’s operations, and a case would be registered against the owner.Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma instructed district administrations to carry out relief and rescue work immediately and directed forest minister Sanjay Sharma to reach Alwar. Sharma later visited the factory and ordered a detailed investigation and a special inspection drive.“All industrial units will be checked in the Bhiwadi industrial area. If any violation of compliance is found, action will be taken,” he said.The state govt, meanwhile, formed a committee to conduct intensive inspections across the Bhiwadi and Khushkheda industrial area. District Collector Shukla ordered inspection of all factories and industrial units within seven days to review fire safety arrangements, necessary government permissions and workers’ safety measures, and to check whether units are operating work other than what they are registered for.
