MP firecracker factory blast: Death toll rises to 5; CM Yadav orders detailed probe

NEW DELHI: The death toll in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district has risen to five after two more injured workers died during treatment, officials said on Thursday. Another 23 people are still undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dewas and Indore.Dewas Additional District Magistrate Sanjeev Jain said the two workers, who had been admitted to a private hospital in Dewas with severe injuries, succumbed later in the day. Earlier, officials had confirmed four deaths following the massive blast and fire at the factory in the Tonk Kalan area.Police have arrested factory owner Anil Malviya under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Officials also suspended the factory’s firecracker licences, which had reportedly been renewed only earlier this month. District authorities said the factory had started manufacturing small firecrackers around 15 days ago.Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav visited injured workers at hospitals in Indore and assured them of full support from the state government. He also announced a high-level inquiry into the incident.“We are conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, and further action will be taken based on the investigation report,” Yadav told reporters, adding that those responsible would not be spared.Deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda described the incident as “heartbreaking and dangerous” and confirmed that a judicial and magisterial inquiry had been ordered.