Kaushambi : The death toll in the devastating explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district has risen to 14 after a 16-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries during treatment, officials said. The blast occurred at a firecracker manufacturing and storage unit in Chilla Shahbazi village on the Prayagraj-Kaushambi border on August 31.

The latest victim, identified as Urvashi, died at around 4:05 am on September 2 while undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital in Prayagraj. She had remained in an extremely critical condition and was receiving ventilator support in the hospital’s critical care unit.

The tragedy has raised serious questions over the continued operation of the unit despite its licence reportedly having been revoked two years ago.

Death toll rises as critically injured teenager dies

Urvashi was among those seriously injured when the powerful explosion ripped through the firecracker facility on Monday. Hospital authorities said doctors had been closely monitoring her condition, but she could not be saved despite intensive treatment.

The explosion had already claimed 11 lives on the spot, while two other victims died on Tuesday. With Urvashi’s death, the toll has now reached 14.

Several victims were children. Earlier reports said at least eight children were among those killed in the initial blast, underscoring the devastating impact of the illegal operation on families in the area.

Three injured people continue to receive treatment and are reported to be stable, according to hospital authorities.

Illegal factory allegedly continued operations after licence cancellation

Investigations into the incident have revealed that the firecracker factory’s licence had reportedly been revoked two years ago. Despite the cancellation, the unit allegedly continued manufacturing and storing firecrackers illegally.

The explosion was powerful enough to destroy the factory building and damage several nearby houses, leaving residents in shock. The incident also led to disruption along the nearby Delhi-Howrah railway line, with train operations suspended for about an hour following the blast.

The circumstances have prompted authorities to examine how the unit was allowed to continue functioning despite the cancellation of its licence.

Police action intensifies after the blast

Police have registered a case against six people in connection with the illegal operation. The factory owner and main accused, Naushad, was arrested following a police encounter, while two other family members were also taken into custody.

Authorities have announced a reward of ₹25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three accused who remain absconding. Police are continuing efforts to locate them as the investigation progresses.

Nine police personnel have also been suspended over alleged negligence in connection with the continued operation of the illegal factory. The action reflects the growing focus on possible lapses that may have allowed the unit to function despite regulatory restrictions.

Accused’s property demolished

In a further crackdown, authorities demolished Naushad’s three-storey house after determining that it had allegedly been constructed without the necessary approval and permissions.

A joint team of the Prayagraj Development Authority and Kaushambi Police carried out the demolition after an operation that continued for about 11 hours, from Tuesday evening until early Wednesday morning.

Police also raided a warehouse reportedly owned by Naushad’s wife in Muratganj market. Six sacks of firecrackers were seized from two rooms during the search, officials said.

The action forms part of a broader crackdown against those allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture and storage of firecrackers.

Search and investigation continue

Police and administrative teams are continuing debris-removal operations at the affected site. Officials are searching the rubble for people who may still be missing, while relatives of victims have also been looking through the debris for personal belongings.

The tragedy has left families mourning and raised concerns about the dangers posed by unlicensed firecracker manufacturing, particularly when explosive materials are stored or handled in residential areas.

With the death toll now at 14, authorities face the task of establishing accountability for the illegal operation and determining whether regulatory and enforcement failures contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

The continuing investigation is expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the factory’s operations, the role of those accused and the lapses that allowed the unit to remain active despite the reported cancellation of its licence.