A massive explosion ripped through a firecracker factory in Manori village, Pipri police area, Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday afternoon. The blast killed eleven people and injured five others who remain in treatment at SRN Hospital in Prayagraj. The deceased, identified as children and adults ranging from four to forty years old, all lived near the factory.
The detonation shattered the factory, collapsed five to six adjacent houses and damaged a high‑voltage pole and power lines. The shockwave forced a temporary suspension of train services on the Delhi‑Howrah line; the Ajmer‑Sealdah Express was turned back to Manori station and the Vande Bharat Express was halted at Saiyad Sarawan station.
District Magistrate Amit Pal, Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat and Range IG Ajay Mishra arrived with teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police, fire brigade, more than a dozen fire tenders, around two dozen ambulances and more than 50 Air Force personnel. Bulldozers and excavators are clearing debris and searching for any additional victims, while the nearby Manori Air Force Station, two kilometres away, supports the operation.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences on X and announced ex gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured person. He directed local officials to ensure prompt medical care and assistance for affected families, adding a prayer for the departed souls.
