Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured following the explosion at an allegedly illegal firecracker factory in Ahmedabad's Vastral area that claimed at least five lives.
In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister described the incident as "extremely tragic" and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
"The news of the accident at a firecracker factory in Ahmedabad is extremely tragic. I pray to God to grant peace to the souls of those who lost their lives in this accident. I express my deepest condolences to their families," Patel said.
He said the local administration was extending all necessary assistance to those affected and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
"All necessary assistance and treatment are being provided to the affected by the local administration. I pray to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of the citizens injured in the accident," he said.
Patel also announced that the state government would provide an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 to every injured person.
The announcement came after a powerful explosion tore through a firecracker manufacturing unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road behind the Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp in Vastral on Saturday afternoon.
The blast, which was heard several kilometres away, caused extensive damage to the factory and triggered a major fire.
RAF personnel stationed nearby were among the first to respond, rescuing people trapped under the debris before fire brigade teams reached the site.
Multiple fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze, which was later brought under control, while cooling operations continued.
The injured were admitted to L.G. Hospital and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Senior officials of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the city police supervised rescue and relief operations at the site.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the firecracker manufacturing unit was operating illegally.
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the cause of the explosion and the circumstances under which the factory was functioning.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the loss of lives and announced ex gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
--IANS
