The death toll from the firecracker godown explosion in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district has climbed to 21, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Banaskantha Collector Mihir Pravinkumar Patel stated that most of the deceased workers hailed from the Dewas and Harda districts of Madhya Pradesh. He confirmed that the identification process has been completed, and arrangements are being made to send the bodies back to their hometowns with the assistance of local authorities.
“Majority of the deceased workers were from Dewas and Harda districts in MP. The minister (Chouhan Nagar Singh), senior officers, and local administration officials from MP arrived last night. The families of the deceased were also present at Deesa Civil Hospital yesterday,” Patel said.
Ten victims from Dewas have already been transported back in ambulances, while a team from Harda district has reached Deesa Civil Hospital to oversee the return of the remaining deceased.
Madhya Pradesh Minister Chouhan Nagar Singh assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. “Both the Gujarat and MP governments, along with the Prime Minister, have announced compensation for the families of the deceased. The administration is taking legal action,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have also pledged financial assistance, with Gujarat offering ₹4 lakh to each bereaved family and ₹50,000 to the injured.
The explosion, which occurred around 9:45 AM on Tuesday, led to the collapse of the godown structure, trapping several workers inside. Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana confirmed that a case has been registered in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
