Eighteen persons were killed and five others injured after a blast at a firecracker warehouse led to a blaze and collapse of the building in Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Tuesday, officials said to PTI.
The district collector reported that 18 bodies were retrieved from the debris.
"The whole RCC slab had collapsed. The relief teams are removing the debris. Four people who were injured in this incident are in stable condition. Police probe on, FSL team called for further investigation", said Banaskantha Collector Mihir Patel.
IANS reported that rescue operations are underway as authorities fear more people may still be buried under the rubble.
Congress MLA Jignesh Mewani said that the state government is responsible for the fire outbreak.
"... The government is responsible for the fire outbreak at the firecracker factory in Beesa. So far, 18 people have lost their lives. Gujarat's BJP government has decided that the condition of people does not affect them until they are winning elections. I demand that the government release the correct numbers and that a proper investigation be conducted... Along with that, Rs 1 crore of ex gratia be given to the families of those who lost their lives..." Mewani said to PTI.
