Varanasi, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A powerful explosion suspected to have been caused by firecrackers led to the collapse of a two-storey building in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Thursday, injuring two people and leaving a woman feared trapped beneath the debris, officials said.
The incident occurred in the Paigambarpur area under the jurisdiction of Sarnath police station. Preliminary information indicated that an alleged illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was operating inside the building, with highly inflammable materials suspected to have contributed to the explosion.
Two injured people were taken to hospital for treatment, while rescue teams launched an operation to locate and evacuate the woman reportedly trapped under the rubble.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Pandey said police received information about the building collapse at around 5 p.m. Officers who reached the site found firecrackers scattered around the premises, prompting suspicion that an explosion involving firecrackers had caused the collapse.
“Information was received at 5 p.m. that a two-storey building had collapsed. Upon reaching the spot, we found firecrackers scattered around the place, so it is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers,” Pandey said.
He added that local residents had reported that a woman was trapped beneath the debris and that rescue efforts were underway.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite relief and rescue operations, according to media reports. He also instructed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured, contact their families and provide all possible assistance.
The incident comes amid concerns over illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facilities in Uttar Pradesh.
In August, 11 people were killed and five others seriously injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facility in Chilla Shahbazi village under Pipri police station limits in Kaushambi district.
Following that incident, the state government announced a reward of ₹25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three absconding suspects — Shakeel, Kahaksha Bano and Adil — according to an official statement.
Police had earlier arrested the main accused, Naushad, following an encounter on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan road in the Charwa police station area.
The cause of Thursday’s explosion in Varanasi remains under investigation.
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