In Gujarat, five people were killed and several others injured today after a massive fire broke out at a firecracker manufacturing and processing unit on the Ramol-Gatrad Road in Ahmedabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the fire and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Our correspondent reports that the fire has been brought under control.
Following the tragic outbreak of a massive fire at the fireworks factory, Rapid Action Force personnel from the nearby Vastral camp rushed to the site immediately to rescue trapped workers and retrieve the deceased. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. While the Ahmedabad Fire Brigade has brought the blaze under control and initiated cooling operations, senior civic officials, including the Municipal Commissioner and Mayor, have visited the spot to assess the situation.
Expressing deep condolences over the tragedy, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Preliminary police investigations suggest that the manufacturing unit was operating illegally.
