A powerful explosion tore through a firecracker manufacturing unit in Almapur village of Siwan district, Bihar, on Thursday evening, triggering panic in the area. Several people are feared dead, as the blast reportedly occurred while workers were inside the premises.
The unit is said to be owned by local resident Mohammed Amiruddin Mian, and large quantities of firecrackers were reportedly stored at the site. The stock is believed to have ignited unexpectedly, causing a series of blasts.
Witnesses said the front portion of the building collapsed, spilling firecrackers onto the road. Explosions continued intermittently for hours as the scattered crackers kept detonating.
A nearby building was reduced to rubble, and body parts were reportedly found on the road and amid debris. After the explosions subsided, villagers entered the area and were shocked by the scene.
Initial information indicates that eight people may have died, though police have not released an official figure. Authorities have taken control of the area for safety and are continuing the investigation.
