The death toll in the devastating explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Chilla Shahbazi village on the Prayagraj-Kaushambi border rose to 14 after a 16-year-old girl, Urvashi, succumbed to injuries in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
Meanwhile, police and administrative teams are continuing debris removal operations in the affected village in search of people feared missing. Family members of the deceased are also combing through the rubble in an attempt to recover valuables buried beneath the debris. In connection with the incident, nine police personnel have been suspended for alleged negligence. Factory owner Naushad was arrested late Monday night following a police encounter.
Kaushambi police have announced a reward of ₹ 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of Naushad’s wife, son and brother, who are accused of being involved in operating the illegal firecracker unit.
