September 17, 2024: A devastating explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Firozabad has resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children and a woman. The blast occurred late Monday night at a firecracker godown-cum-factory in the Naushera area, within the jurisdiction of the Shikohabad police station.

Circle Officer Shikohabad, Praveen Tiwari, reported that the explosion has also left eleven individuals injured. “The incident resulted in the tragic loss of five lives, with two of them being children,” Tiwari said. “Currently, eleven people are receiving treatment for their injuries.”

Firozabad District Magistrate Ramesh Ranjan confirmed that rescue operations are in full swing. “We have mobilized all necessary resources, including medical teams, ambulances, and fire services,” Ranjan noted. “All local hospitals have been put on high alert to handle any casualties.”

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to the site, assisting with rescue efforts using sniffer dogs to locate and aid any remaining survivors.