At least three people were killed and several others sustained injuries after a blast occurred in a fireworks factory in Hyderabad's Latifabad area, the assistant commissioner said on Saturday.
"There are two deaths, and we have sent four to five injured to hospitals,” said Latifabad Assistant Commissioner Saud Lund while speaking to the media.
He noted that the firecrackers were being illegally manufactured in the house without a licence. "The room, where the crackers were being made, was completely destroyed in the blast."
"There is debris from the collapsed room and boundary wall, and we have reports that some people, including children, were working inside. Our teams are trying to retrieve them,” he added.
The blast triggered a fire that caused part of the structure to collapse. Police confirmed that the room and adjoining sections caught fire immediately after the explosion.
Law enforcers and rescue personnel reached the location shortly after the incident, with the fire brigade currently conducting firefighting operations.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has sought a detailed report on the factory blast, according to the provincial spokesperson. The chief minister also ordered an audit of safety measures at the factory.
CM Murad said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the explosion, adding that negligence in ensuring workers’ safety would not be tolerated.
A similar explosion took place in firecracker warehouse in Karachi's Saddar in August this year, leaving six dead and several injured.
The ground-plus-two building housed medical equipment shops in addition to the firecracker warehouse.
According to the FIR, the suspects had stockpiled a large quantity of fireworks in a disorderly manner and without any safety measures. Their negligence and recklessness led to the loss of precious lives, injuries, and significant damage to property.
The report further stated that one of the suspects was injured in the blast, while another — who was present at the time of the explosion — fled the scene in his car.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.