Overview
- At least two people were killed and five injured in a powerful explosion at a firecracker factory in Sarai Barai, Barabanki, with some victims transferred in critical condition to the Lucknow Trauma Centre.
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate Anurag Singh said early findings point to operational negligence and possible lapses in fire-safety practices at the Barabanki facility.
- Police have cordoned the Barabanki site and are inspecting debris to determine the cause and verify compliance under explosives regulations.
- In a separate incident in Lucknow’s Nagaram area, firefighters brought a firecracker unit blaze under control with no reported casualties, and police are probing a likely ignition from nearby stubble burning while registering a case.
- Officials are examining licensing records after conflicting accounts on validity, with one report citing a Barabanki permit that expired in March and a police statement elsewhere indicating a licence appearing valid until 2027.