Kaushambi (Uttar Pradesh), August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least 11 people were killed and five others injured after a massive fire triggered a series of explosions at a firecracker factory in Manouri Bazaar under Pipri police station limits of Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district on Monday, officials said.
District Magistrate Amit Pal Sharma said rescue and relief operations were continuing at the site, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed to assist in the search.
According to the district administration, 11 deaths have been confirmed so far, while five injured persons are undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital in Prayagraj. Authorities said medical assistance had been arranged for anyone found during the ongoing search operation.
Officials fear that more people could still be trapped under the debris of the factory and nearby structures that collapsed following the explosions. Police and administrative teams have cordoned off the area and intensified search and clearance operations.
The District Magistrate assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the tragedy. Criminal cases would be registered under stringent provisions, while measures including property attachment would be initiated in accordance with government directives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and directed officials to accelerate rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He also instructed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected families.
Local residents were among the first to respond after the explosions, helping rescue people trapped beneath the debris and carrying those with burn injuries on makeshift stretchers to the roadside. Ambulances subsequently transported the injured to SRN Hospital. A child was reportedly among those critically injured, while several residents of nearby houses also sustained injuries.
The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 each for the injured. He also prayed for peace for the deceased and the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also expressed grief over the tragedy, describing the deaths of multiple members of a single family as particularly heartbreaking. He directed hospital authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured and said saving lives remained the government’s top priority.
The scale of destruction became evident in the aftermath, with relatives searching through the rubble for missing family members and others rushing to hospitals for information about their loved ones.
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