Five people were killed and 28 others injured, including women and children, in a powerful blast at an illegal firecracker factory in Fatuhiwala village, Lambi constituency of Punjab’s Muktsar district, early Friday morning.
The explosion was so intense that the two-storey building partially collapsed, trapping around 40 migrant workers. The factory, located in a remote area near the Punjab-Haryana border, was operating without proper permission. The blast was heard as far as 10 kilometres away.
An injured worker shared that many were asleep after their shift when the explosion occurred, possibly triggered by a spark during a dust storm. He added that the factory owner briefly visited, promised Rs 500 for travel, and then fled. “I only have Rs 20 in my pocket. What am I supposed to do now?” he said.
The factory is reportedly owned by the family of AAP activist Tarsem Singh from Singhewala village.
Muktsar SSP Akhil Chaudhary confirmed the deaths and said the injured were taken to Civil Hospital in Badal village and AIIMS Bathinda. He mentioned that the exact cause is still being investigated and that one of the three accused has been arrested.
A case has been registered against Tarsem Singh, his son Navraj Singh, and wife Sukhchain Kaur under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Indian Explosives Act, and the Factories Act. Tarsem Singh has been arrested.
Rescue operations continued until noon, led by police and volunteers from Dera Sacha Sauda. Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) leader Gurpash Singh criticised the administration for not calling in the disaster response force.
Deputy Commissioner Abhijeet Kaplish said the factory had applied for permission under the Explosives Act on April 1, but approval was still pending. He announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those who died.
He also defended the administration’s response, saying the police acted promptly and that all trapped workers were rescued and taken to hospitals by 9 am. Senior officials were present on the ground and also visited the injured.
Agriculture Minister and Lambi MLA Gurmeet Singh Khudian visited the injured at AIIMS Bathinda. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also met victims at hospitals and demanded a full investigation and proper compensation.
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