21 Killed in Andhra Pradesh Fireworks Factory Blast
15 Dead in Industrial Explosives Factory Explosion in Nagpur
At least 36 people were killed in a series of explosions at manufacturing factories across India in a single day. The tragedy comes as demand for fireworks has surged ahead of the country's largest Hindu festival, with poor safety management cited as a major cause.
According to major foreign media outlets on March 1, 2026 (local time), a massive explosion occurred around 2 p.m. the previous day at a fireworks manufacturing factory in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. Of the 30 workers inside the factory at the time, 21 were killed and 8 were injured, while the whereabouts of the remaining one person are still unconfirmed.
Local outlet NDTV reported that the shock from the explosion was so intense that the sound could be heard up to 5 kilometers away, and that some bodies were so badly damaged that identification was difficult. Residents have raised the possibility that the factory was producing fireworks in excess of permitted quantities, leading to the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and grief for the victims via social media.
Earlier that morning, another explosion occurred at an industrial explosives factory in Nagpur, Maharashtra, western India. In this incident, 15 factory workers were killed and more than 10 others were injured. The factory was confirmed to manufacture industrial explosives used in mining or construction sites, but the specific cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.
In India, fireworks are in high demand during religious events such as Diwali-the largest Hindu festival-and at weddings, but factory explosions continue to occur due to poor safety regulations and lax enforcement.
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