Harda Fire Incident: MP CM Yadav Meets Injured In Bhopal Hospital, Congress Slams ‘Negligence’

A powerful explosion and subsequent blaze at a firecracker factory near Harda town in Madhya Pradesh resulted in the tragic loss of at least eleven lives on Tuesday, according to Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav. The death toll has risen to 11, with 174 reported injuries, as rescue operations continue.

VIDEO | Harda Blast: “We have evacuated everyone from the site. The FSL team is here to investigate; JCBs are working to remove debris, rescue mission is underway. We have called in additional machines also as the work will continue overnight. One person has been detained and FIR… pic.twitter.com/Sj6PoSjyTC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 6, 2024

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav visited Hamidiya Hospital in Bhopal to meet the injured from the Harda fire incident. Yadav expressed condolences to the affected families and assured them that necessary arrangements were being made for the injured.

“Out of the 12 patients brought to the hospital, one has lost life. There are 11 patients as of now. Two are undergoing an operation. I met 9 patients. The rescue operations are underway. I have asked for an inspection report of similar places from all the districts. I will go to the spot tomorrow after the assembly session. We have ordered an inquiry. We will take an action that they will remember,” CM Yadav told reporters after his visit with the injured patients. 

#WATCH | Bhopal: On Harda fire incident, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Says, “Out of the 12 patients brought here, one has lost life. There are 11 patients as of now. Two are undergoing an operation. I met 9 patients… The rescue operations are underway… I have asked for an… pic.twitter.com/b3KQo546uM

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024

Videos of the incident circulated on social media, depicting a massive fire with intermittent explosions at the Bairagarh factory on Magardha Road, on the outskirts of Harda town. Thick plumes of smoke were visible, and people were seen running frantically to escape the scene.

Congress president Mallikarujun Kharge, while expressing condolences, demanded that the state government should compensate the deceased appropriately. 

मध्य प्रदेश के हरदा में पटाखा फैक्ट्री में ब्लास्ट होने से कई लोगों की मृत्यु की ख़बर बहुत ही पीड़ादायक है।100 से ज्यादा लोग घायल हैं।

मृतकों के परिवारों के प्रति हमारी गहरी संवेदनाएँ। ईश्वर उनको इस कठिन समय में शक्ति प्रदान करे।

आस-पास के घरों में आग लगने से जान-माल का…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 6, 2024

MP Congress president Jitu Patwari expressed condolences and urged the government to provide relief to the affected families. The cause of the blast remains unknown, and efforts are underway to control the blaze.

VIDEO | “Many people were injured today, there was negligence. Our prayers are with the families. I believe at this time, we should support the families of those affected. Congress party wants the government to provide relief to them,” says MP Congress president @jitupatwari on… pic.twitter.com/XWa345G9Dc

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 6, 2024

Expressing concern former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath emphasised the need for an investigation and punishment for all responsible. 

VIDEO | “This is a big incident. There should be proper investigation into it and all the culprits should be punished,” says former MP CM Kamal Nath on a major fire at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda. pic.twitter.com/MsQirS95Tw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 6, 2024

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held a meeting to assess the situation and announced that the Army was being contacted to arrange helicopters for rescue efforts. Immediate treatment for the injured was declared a top priority, with ambulances rushed to the site, and the Army contacted for helicopter assistance.

Financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased and complete coverage of treatment costs for the injured were announced by CM Yadav. Senior officials were directed to visit Harda, and burn units in hospitals were instructed to prepare for emergencies.

READ | Harda Factory Blast: Death Toll Rises To 10, PM Modi And MP CM Yadav Announce Ex-Gratia. Top Points

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, extending condolences to the bereaved families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, distressed by the incident, offered condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The local administration is actively assisting those affected by the tragedy.