Ahmedabad (Gurpreet Singh) — A massive explosion followed by a major fire at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in the Ramol area of Ahmedabad city on Saturday resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left six others injured, according to local administrative and medical officials. The high-intensity blast occurred at approximately 3.30 pm at a temporary facility set up on an open farm located along the Ramol-Gatrad road, completely engulfing the structure in flames.
Emergency rescue teams, including personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services, rushed to the spot immediately after the incident to launch comprehensive rescue and relief operations. The injured victims were quickly pulled from the debris and transferred to two separate medical facilities in the city. Dr Rakesh Joshi, the Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital in the Asarwa area, confirmed that one individual was brought dead to the facility, while five other injured persons are currently undergoing active medical treatment. Concurrently, LG Hospital Superintendent Leena Dabhi stated that nine individuals were brought to the Maninagar facility, of whom eight succumbed to their injuries, while the condition of one surviving injured woman remains stable.
Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore confirmed that the firecracker manufacturing unit was operating entirely without a valid statutory license. Following initial assessments, the official announced that a formal case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with other relevant criminal offences, will be registered against the operators under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and specific provisions of the Explosives Act. The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has been officially tasked with carrying out further detailed investigations into the systemic lapses that led to the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the loss of lives, extending his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced an ex-gratia financial assistance package of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased individual, alongside fifty thousand rupees for each of the injured victims. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also released a statement expressing deep heartbreak over the tragedy, confirming that the local administration is providing all necessary medical and logistical assistance. The Chief Minister declared additional state ex-gratia relief, pledging four lakh rupees to the families of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees to the injured.
