Two Killed in Explosion at Gunpowder and Firecracker Warehouse in Rajasthan's Nagaur District

Two men were killed when an explosion tore through a gunpowder and firecracker warehouse in Badli village, in Nagaur district, Rajasthan, on Thursday morning, November 5. The two dead were identified as Mohammad Aamir and Mujeeb, who were related as brothers-in-law, ANI reported.

The blast occurred at around 9:40 am local time. Police, fire brigade teams and 108 ambulance services rushed to the spot. Firefighters brought the blaze under control. Several nearby houses were reported damaged by the explosion.

How far the blast was heard

Reports differ on how far the sound carried, and this article does not treat either version as settled. IANS reporting said the blast was heard nearly half a kilometre away. ANI reported that the explosion was heard several kilometres away. Both wires placed the blast at the warehouse in Badli village, under Nagaur police station limits, at around 9:40 am.

Local residents told IANS that the facility manufactures gunpowder by mixing potassium nitrate and also held a stock of finished firecrackers. The warehouse stored gunpowder and firecrackers at the site.

The injured count is not settled

The two wires also differ on the injured count, so this article does not write it as settled. ANI reported that three people were present, that two died and that one was injured and is being treated at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, known as JLN Hospital, in Nagaur. IANS reported that two others were critically injured.

What the reports hold in common is the core toll at the scene. Two people died at the scene. The dead were named by ANI as Mohammad Aamir and Mujeeb, brothers-in-law. The injured were taken for treatment, with the count and condition described differently by the two wires.

What officials said at the site

Circle Officer Jatin Jain said the premises had operated as a warehouse for gunpowder and firecrackers for a long time. He said the explosion occurred after the gunpowder caught fire. Police said the warehouse was licensed and had the required documents.

Nagaur Tehsildar Narsingh Tank said at the site: "There is a fire at the site. The fire has now been completely brought under control. We are currently investigating the situation. We have received reports that two people have died. We will conduct an investigation; the details will emerge through the inquiry. Whatever the facts are, they will come to light."

Damage and the investigation

Several nearby houses were reported damaged by the explosion. Police and fire brigade teams stayed at the spot in Badli village while the response continued, and the 108 ambulance services that rushed there handled the injured side of the response described by ANI.

The exact cause of the explosion has not been established and an investigation is underway. Officials said the details would emerge through the inquiry. The account from Jain, reported by ANI, said the explosion followed the gunpowder catching fire, but the reports do not present that as a final established cause, and the investigation is the route officials named for the facts to come out.