Overview

• A massive explosion at an illegal firecracker godown in Banaskantha, Gujarat, killed 21 people, including workers and their families, with rescue operations now concluded.
• The godown, owned by Deepak Mohnani, was operating without a valid license, and the owner has been arrested; investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the blast.
• In Pathar Pratima, West Bengal, a residential explosion killed 8 people, including children, with conflicting claims about whether firecracker materials were stored at the site.
• Both incidents highlight systemic safety lapses and illegal operations in India's firecracker industry, which has a history of similar tragedies.
• Government officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have announced financial aid for victims’ families, while calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations grow louder.