Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Kaushambi Firecracker Factory Blast Kills Five, Injures 18
A firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, caught fire and exploded.
The explosions damaged the factory and nearby houses.
One report said five injured people later died in hospital.
Officials also said more than 18 people may have been injured.
Earlier reports gave smaller and different numbers for deaths and injuries.
About 15 people were feared trapped, but officials had not confirmed that figure.
Rescue workers used excavators to search through the rubble.
Police, firefighters, disaster-response teams and Air Force personnel helped.
Trains near the site were stopped for about an hour.
The cause of the explosion was still unknown.
A massive explosion and fire struck a firecracker factory in Manori village, Kaushambi, on Monday.
One report said five injured people later died, while officials estimated more than 18 people were injured.
Earlier accounts said about 15 people were feared trapped, but officials had not confirmed that number.
The blast collapsed five to six nearby houses and damaged electricity infrastructure and other structures.
Rescue teams, including police, firefighters, NDRF, SDRF and Air Force personnel, searched the debris while nearby train services were briefly suspended.
- Who
- Workers and other people at or near the firecracker factory were affected; police, firefighters, disaster-response teams, medical personnel and Air Force staff led the response.
- What
- A fire and massive explosion at a firecracker factory caused deaths, injuries, possible entrapments and structural damage.
- When
- Monday afternoon; one account said officials received information at about 10:40 a.m.
- Where
- A firecracker factory in Manori village near the Manori power house, in the Pipri police station area of Kaushambi near the Prayagraj border.
- Why
- The cause of the explosion had not been determined; one account said firecrackers began exploding repeatedly after a fire broke out.
Earlier casualty reports
Later casualty report
Deaths and injuries
Earlier casualty reports
Earlier reports said around 24 people were injured, about 15 were feared trapped and no death had been officially confirmed. Another preliminary account reported approximately three deaths and five injuries.
Later casualty report
The later report said five injured people died during treatment and that more than 18 people were suspected to have been injured.
Timing and location
Earlier casualty reports
One account said information was received at about 10:40 a.m. and placed the factory near Manauri Bazar on the Kaushambi-Prayagraj border.
Later casualty report
Other accounts described the incident as occurring Monday afternoon at a factory in Manori village near the Manori power house in the Pipri police station area.
Official identification
Earlier casualty reports
Most reports identified the district magistrate as Amit Pal.
Later casualty report
One report identified the district magistrate as Vipin Pal, creating a discrepancy in the officials' names.
- Reported deaths
- The latest account said five injured people died during treatment; another account reported approximately three deaths, while earlier reports said no death had been officially confirmed.
- Reported injuries
- The latest report said more than 18 people were suspected to have been injured; earlier accounts reported around 24 injured or five injured.
- People feared trapped
- About 15 people were initially feared trapped, but officials had not confirmed the number.
- Structural damage
- Five to six houses adjacent to the factory reportedly collapsed, while other nearby homes had damaged walls or shattered windows.
- Rescue response
- Police, fire brigades, NDRF, SDRF, administrative teams, ambulances and more than 50 Air Force personnel were involved in the response.
- Transport disruption
- Train operations on the Delhi-Howrah railway line were suspended for about an hour; two trains were stopped or turned back.
- Cause and fire status
- The fire brigade had brought the blaze under control, but the cause of the explosion remained unknown.
