A fire broke out inside a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Harda on Tuesday.

Tragedy struck Madhya Pradesh’s Harda on Tuesday as a devastating fire erupted inside a firecracker factory, claiming the lives of at least six and leaving 60 others injured. The fire, accompanied by numerous explosions, tore through the Bairagarh locality of Harda district, causing extensive damage to the surrounding area. Officials reported that the blaze engulfed 60 nearby houses, forcing the evacuation of residents from over 100 households.

“A rescue operation is currently underway. Tragically, six fatalities have been confirmed, and 59 individuals sustained injuries. Those wounded are receiving treatment at the District Hospital, with critically injured patients being transferred to medical facilities in Bhopal and Indore,” Rishi Garg, the Collector of Harda, was quoted as saying.

Following the explosion, the city was engulfed in black smoke. Emergency services were mobilised from Harda, Betul, Khandwa, and Narmadapuram. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav promptly convened an emergency meeting. He directed Minister Uday Pratap Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Ajit Kesari, and Deputy General Home Guard Arvind Kumar to assess the situation.

Officials informed CM Yadav that 14 doctors had been deployed to Harda, with an additional 20 ambulances stationed at the site and 50 more en route. Moreover, medical colleges in Bhopal and Indore, along with the burn unit at AIIMS Bhopal, were instructed to prepare for an influx of victims.

A survivor said that approximately 150 workers were present on the premises at the time of the incident, according to NDTV.