At least six killed, seven injured in Hyderabad fireworks warehouse explosion

In an unfortunate incident, at least six people were killed and seven others injured when a powerful explosion ripped through an illegal fireworks manufacturing unit and warehouse near Leghari Goth at the Darya Bachao Bund site in Hyderabad.

The blast occurred at around 4pm in a house-turned-manufacturing unit and warehouse for firecrackers situated in the middle of agricultural fields near UC-99, opposite Latifabad No. 10. The impact was so intense that its sound was heard across Kohsar and multiple areas of Latifabad. The structure flattened instantly, triggering a massive fire. Debris and human body parts were seen scattered across a wide radius.

Area people rushed to the blast site and started their efforts to help and rescue people trapped in the collapsed building. Locals said seven to eight people usually worked in the facility, and firecrackers continued to burst for quite some time after the blast.

Rescue teams from Edhi Foundation and Rescue 1122 reached the scene shortly after the explosion. According to Edhi Centre in-charge Miraj Qureshi, six bodies had been pulled out of the debris, while seven injured were shifted to a hospital. Four of them were later moved to the Burns Ward with critical injuries.

Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) said its Accidents & Emergency Department received 11 victims with severe burn injuries following a tragic explosion at a fireworks factory in Latifabad. All surviving patients are receiving urgent and comprehensive medical care from the hospital’s specialised burn unit.

Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen, Assistant Commissioner Saud Baloch, and other officials also reached the site and began overseeing rescue operations. 

UC Chairman Imran Bashir told Express News that the house was being illegally used as a manufacturing unit of firecrackers as well as a warehouse for the same manufactured stuff. The owners used to hire workers from nearby Kolhi Goth. 

Eyewitnesses said they often saw four workers—Mushtaq, Waqas, Kashif, and Anas—inside the facility, though it is unclear how many were present at the time of the explosion. Area people mentioned, the blast site was quite far from the populated areas. Had it been within the residential area, there could have been a big disaster.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abideen said authorities were tracing the owner who had set up the illegal fireworks manufacturing and storage facility on government land. “Our first priority is to complete the rescue operation. 

The DC further said that after consulting the SSP Hyderabad, a search operation would be launched across different locations to identify how fireworks material was being supplied and stored illegally. He said OGRA and its technical teams would also be consulted during the investigation. He urged the public to immediately report any location in their area where fireworks or explosive materials are being kept illegally.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah sought a detailed report on the incident from the Hyderabad commissioner and deputy commissioner. He directed authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment and vowed strict action against those responsible.

Additionally, Governor Kamran Tessori expressed sorrow over the tragedy and instructed the concerned departments to submit a comprehensive report. He also assured that those responsible would be held accountable.