Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded outside Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital on Friday as grieving families gathered to claim the bodies of their loved ones who perished in the devastating firecracker unit blast in Delhi's Rani Jhansi Road area.
Tragic Identification Process
The hospital corridors echoed with cries and sobs as relatives went through the painful process of identifying the victims of Thursday's explosion. Eleven people lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred around 3:30 PM on February 16, 2023, when a massive blast ripped through the illegal firecracker manufacturing unit.
Family members could be seen comforting each other while waiting for the official formalities to complete. The atmosphere remained heavy with grief as one body after another was handed over to relatives after the completion of necessary documentation and post-mortem procedures.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
According to hospital authorities and police reports, the death toll stands at eleven individuals, all of whom were workers at the illicit firecracker unit operating from a residential building. The victims, primarily young adults, included both men and women who had been working in the facility when the explosion occurred.
Fire department officials and local police had conducted rescue operations throughout Thursday evening, pulling out injured individuals and recovering bodies from the debris. The injured were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals, with LNJP Hospital receiving the majority of critical cases and fatalities.
Community in Mourning
The tragedy has left the entire community in shock and mourning. Local residents expressed their anger and frustration over the operation of such hazardous units in residential areas. Many questioned how the illegal firecracker manufacturing unit could function without authorities taking notice.
As families prepared to take their loved ones for final rites, the collective grief was palpable. The incident has raised serious questions about safety regulations and the monitoring of illegal industrial activities in densely populated urban areas.
Police authorities have registered a case and begun investigations into the matter. Officials confirmed that they are looking into the ownership of the unit and determining responsibility for the tragic incident that has left multiple families devastated.
