A powerful explosion ripped through an industrial unit in Bhiwadi on Monday morning, killing seven workers on the spot and leaving several others critically injured. The blast occurred in the Khushkheda area of Rajasthan, inside a facility officially registered as a garment factory but allegedly being used to manufacture firecrackers illegally. According to district officials, multiple explosions happened in quick succession, sparking a massive fire that spread rapidly through the building, trapping workers inside before they could escape.
Authorities revealed that around 12 to 20 people were present in the factory when the blast occurred, with many managing to flee while at least nine were trapped by flames and debris. Rescue teams battled the fire for over an hour and a half before bringing it under control, recovering charred bodies and even scattered body parts from inside the premises. Due to the severe burns, DNA samples had to be collected to identify several victims, most of whom were migrant workers from Bihar. Injured workers were rushed to major hospitals in Delhi, including AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, in critical condition.
Investigators found gunpowder, bundles of firecrackers, and packing material inside the unit, confirming illegal explosive manufacturing. The factory, registered under the name Readymate Garment, was allegedly leased out for unlawful operations, and the manager has been taken into custody for questioning. Following the tragedy, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ordered an immediate probe and a sweeping inspection of all industrial units in the Bhiwadi region. Officials have now launched a special compliance drive to uncover illegal factories, fire safety violations, and misuse of industrial licenses — a move long overdue in an area repeatedly flagged for hazardous operations.