5 dead in illegal cracker factory blast in Nalanda

Patna: Five persons, including four children, were killed in a powerful blast that occurred in an illegal firecracker factory in Nalanda district of Bihar. The incident took place late Thursday evening at Khasganj village in Nalanda, the home district of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

The illegal factory was being run by a man identified as Mohammad Sarfaraz, who was also badly injured in the explosion. According to the police, his four children — Sumera, Taniq Fatima, Saista and son Sartaj — died in the incident. The fifth victim has been identified as 30-year-old Munna Pandit, who lived near the factory.

The police suspect that owner of the factory was manufacturing the crackers in large quantity to meet the market’s demand for Ram Navami festival which is to be celebrated on March 25.

Sources said that the explosion occurred while Sarfaraz was trying to light an incense stick. The Nalanda police, meanwhile, have registered an FIR against the factory owner.

Sources from Nalanda told this newspaper that the explosion was so powerful that some of the houses close to the factory got damaged. The seriously injured has been sent to Patna Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.