MP Harda Blast: Two Persons Detained, Another Interrogated After Massive Fire Kills 11, Injures 200 Others | Top Points

Following the massive fire that broke out at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda on Tuesday, police have taken two persons into custody, while a third is being interrogated in connection with the case. As many as 11 persons lost their lives and 200 others sustained injuries in this terrifying incident.

SP (Harda) Sanjeev Kanchan said, “We have taken two people — Rajesh Aggarwal and Somesh Aggarwal — into custody from Sarangpur,” adding that, “Another accused, Rafiq Khan, is being questioned.”

The fire led to several explosions while also triggering panic among locals in the nearby areas. The incident occurred in the Bairagarh locality on Magardha Road, on the outskirts of Harda town, approximately 150 km from the state capital, Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased while the injured will be provided free treatment.

Latest Updates in the Harda Fire Incident-

• More than 100 people injured in the blast incident on Tuesday are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in MP, while two other persons are missing. Rescue operations were on throughout the night at the site of the incident.
• SP (Harda) Sanjeev Kanchan on Wednesday said that now two persons — Rajesh Aggarwal and Somesh Aggarwal — have been taken into custody from Sarangpur, while another accused, ‘Rafiq Khan’ is being questioned.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met the injured people admitted to Bhopal’s Hamidiya Hospital.

• “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 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 which they will remember…” CM Yadav said.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased from PMNRF.
• “Distressed by the loss of lives due to the mishap at a cracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting all those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a social media post.
• One person was detained in connection with the tragic incident that claimed 11 lives. “One person has been detained and an FIR registered,” Inspector General (IG), Narmadapuram, Irshad Wali was quoted by PTI as saying. The identity of the person taken into custody was not immediately clear.
• The Madhya Pradesh government formed a three-member committee to be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to conduct a detailed investigation into the explosion at the firecracker factory. Other members of the committee include  Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Intelligence, Jaideep Prasad and Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary RK Mehra.
• Earlier in the evening, Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra noted that a 20-km long green corridor was created to ensure no inconvenience in the local traffic system while efforts were underway to bring the injured persons to the hospitals.

• Narmadapuram Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kumar Sharma stated that 174 people have been rescued so far. “So far, we have rescued 174 people. We have not received any missing reports yet. We will check the debris to see if there are any bodies there. 40-50% of the debris has been removed. As of now, there are 11 casualties. There are 60-70 ambulances here, more than 50 fire tenders, SDRF and NDRF teams are here. Around 1000 people from different fields are involved in the rescue operations,” said Sharma.
• “The fire has been doused, and debris is being removed from the site. Investigation into the matter is underway, but currently, the rescue mission is our priority,” Sharma added.
• The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.