Lucknow: Four minors were killed and several injured in a massive blast triggered by a fire, caused possibly due to short circuit, during preparations for a fireworks display at Bundelkhand Gaurav Mahotsav in Chitrakoot, organised by UP tourism department, on Wednesday.
The blast was so massive that it created a two-feet-deep crater at the venue. Chitrakoot SP Arun Singh said the explosion took place at 3.10 pm and its impact could be heard a kilometre away.
Emergency services, including nine ambulances and four fire tenders, were rushed to the site to aid the injured. District magistrate Abhishek Anand said the event was cancelled after the incident.
The deceased were identified as Ajneya Mishra (11), Prabhat Patel (10), Paras Sharma (12) and Mohit Kumar (14).
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the four boys and announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to their families and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
On the CM’s instructions, a committee headed by an ADG has been constituted to delve into the exact cause of the explosion and identify those responsible.
Jhansi police have registered an FIR against a Mumbai-based company that was entrusted with the fireworks display, Dom Entertainment, for negligence and violations of safety norms.
The FIR said initial investigation pointed towards the private company’s employees failing to handle the electrical equipment properly. They also allegedly disregarded the safety protocol for fireworks displays.
Proprietor of Dom Entertainment Harsh Kaamdaar, Pankaj Jaat, and some unidentified persons have been booked under various IPC sections, including 304 (causing death by negligent act), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 336 (acting rashly or negligently to endanger human life) and 338 (causing serious injuries to another person by acting negligently), and under the Explosives Act.
