Madhya Pradesh factory blasts: 150-200 workers on first floor, had no chance, says survivor

HARDA: The rubble of the Harda fireworks factory may hide a spine-chilling truth. Survivor after survivor told TOI late Tuesday night that there were 150-200 people on the first floor alone.

"The entire floor was engulfed in the explosion, leaving little chance of survival," Istiyaq Ali, 46, an injured factory worker, told TOI from his hospital bed. He worked on the ground floor and managed to escape, but dozens of his colleagues couldn't, he fears.

"The explosion occurred where the explosives are manufactured," Istiyaq said. "I worked where explosive powder was filled into firecrackers. On our floor, there were 32 people, and we handled 10 quintals of explosives. Sadly, three of them died."

Their work area was in a tin shed, one of three on the ground floor. "Fortunately, most of those on the ground floor escaped, though some succumbed to their injuries outside. I saw a young man of 22 die. No one on the first floor had a chance," he wept. Another survivor, Aziz Khan, 45, said: "I was fortunate to be working in a hall on the outer side, so I could escape after the initial blast. However, I fear at least 70 of my co-workers may not have been as lucky."