Midnight inferno claims 5 lives, injures over 30 in Punjab firecracker factory blast

A devastating explosion tore through a firecracker factory in Punjab’s Muktsar district just after midnight May 30, killing at least five people and injuring 34 others. The blast, which reduced the double-storey structure to rubble, erupted at a facility on the outskirts of Singhwala village in the Lambi constituency, jolting residents from their sleep and igniting fears of further blasts.

Authorities say the factory, owned by a man identified as Tarsem Singh, was illegally housing both the manufacturing and packaging of firecrackers under the same roof—a direct violation of safety norms. Many of the workers, believed to be migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were reportedly sleeping inside the building when the blast occurred.

“The explosion happened between 12 midnight and 1 a.m. The building collapsed entirely, trapping several workers beneath the debris,” confirmed Jaspal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Lambi. “So far, we’ve recovered five bodies, and 34 injured have been transported to various hospitals, including AIIMS Bathinda and Civil Hospital in Badal. Most are now stable.”

The rescue operation, involving police, fire services, and local volunteers, continued through the night. Officials say three bodies were pulled from the wreckage before dawn, and two more were found in the early morning hours. While no additional victims are believed to be trapped, authorities remain on alert as the debris is cleared.

Early reports suggest the factory was not only flouting firecracker manufacturing norms but also housing workers in dangerously close proximity to volatile materials. “There were two operational units—one for manufacturing and the other for packaging—within the same premises,” said Akhil Chaudhary, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar. “Some workers were engaged in packaging, while others were asleep. Prima facie, the explosion seems linked to improperly stored explosive materials.”

The blast’s shockwave was so powerful that nearby villagers in Singhwala and neighboring hamlets ran out of their homes in panic, fearing a larger catastrophe. “It felt like the earth shook beneath us,” said a local resident. “There was a massive boom, and we saw smoke and fire rising from the edge of the village.”

An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the explosion and establish whether it was due to negligence, mishandling, or deliberate oversight. The Factories Department has been notified and is expected to conduct a thorough inspection of the site for violations under the Factories Act.

“We’ll record statements once the injured recover,” said DSP Singh. “Strict legal action will be taken based on the findings. No one responsible will be spared.”

As the rubble continues to be cleared and the community reels from the tragedy, questions mount over how such a hazardous operation was allowed to function unchecked—and at what cost.