Officials and locals inspecting the damage after an explosion at a firecracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, killed 11 people on February 6.

A rescue operation is underway to find and extract workers who are still trapped in the debris. The operation was interrupted by continuing explosions and officials were forced to evacuate 100 houses nearby.

According to district officials, a fire incident occurred at the same factory two years ago and the factory had been shut down four months ago for other violations.

A state congress leader said that the factory’s owners, who are missing, are being protected by the government.

At least 11 people died and 149 were injured in a massive blast followed by a fire in a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda district on February 6 ( Tuesday).

A rescue operation to find and extract workers still trapped in the debris of the collapsed building was interrupted by continuing explosions, and officials were forced to evacuate at least 100 houses in the vicinity.

A first information report (FIR) has been filed. A senior police officer said that one person has been arrested so far. He said that various teams have been formed to nab the others.

M.P. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has formed a high-level panel to oversee investigations. District officials said that a fire incident had previously occurred at the same factory two years ago, and that the factory had been shut due to other violations four months ago, though they claimed that it had valid licenses. A State Congress leader said that the factory’s owners, who are missing, are being protected by the government.

The CM directed efforts to oversee the rescue and to inspect other firecracker factories in the State. He announced ₹4 lakh in financial aid to the kin of the deceased, who were also promised ₹2 lakh by the Prime Minister’s Office; the CM and PM each promised ₹50,000 to the injured as well.