Kanpur: At least two killed after firecracker factory explodes in Sarasaul village

Two people were killed and about half a dozen were injured when a massive explosion took place in an allegedly illegal firecracker factory running in a two-storeyed house in Sarsaul village in Kanpur.

The explosion reduced the house of Babu Singh and four others to rubble. Many family members are still trapped inside the debris. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were called in to conduct the rescue operation. So far two bodies, including Babu Singh’s son Neeraj, have been recovered.

An Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) team was also rushed to Kanpur to check any terror angle into the explosion. The ATS has taken samples of powder used in making crude bombs and firecrackers and sent it to the forensic lab. “The extensive damage in the area indicates that high-quality explosive was being used,” pointed an ATS official.

Six people trapped under the debris were rescued by the NDRF and ITBP teams. They have been rushed to district hospital where condition of a woman and girl was stated to be critical. The District Magistrate Surendra Singh said efforts were on to rescue others who are still trapped under the debris.

“We heard a deafening sound and suddenly my …read more