Death toll in explosion at firecracker factory in M.P.’s Dewas rises to five

Officials said that the death toll increased to five with the death of two more workers who were seriously injured in the explosion that occurred on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at a fireworks factory in the Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, and 23 workers were treated.

Dewas Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Sanjeev Jain said: PTI“Two workers who were taken to a private hospital in Dewas died during treatment. Thus, the total number of deaths increased to five.”

Anil Malviya, the licensed owner of a fireworks factory operating in Tonk Kalan area, was arrested under stringent provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), officials said.

According to officials, Mr. Malviya’s fireworks license was suspended.

Three workers injured in the fire were admitted to the Government Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital in Indore.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the hospital to inquire about the health condition of the victims.

“We have initiated action under the National Security Act (NSA) against the owner of the fireworks factory. We are conducting a detailed investigation into the incident and further action will be taken based on the investigation report,” he told reporters.

“The state government will not hold anyone innocent in this case. This incident serves as a lesson and we hope it will not be repeated again,” the Chief Minister said. he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Dewda said that a judicial investigation has also been ordered, along with the arrest of the factory owner.

Officials from the central government’s Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), State Pollution Control Board and Forensic Science Laboratory are investigating the explosion at the fireworks factory, Home Ministry Additional Principal Secretary Sanjay Shukla said.

District Magistrate Rituraj Singh said that factory owner Malviya was issued two licenses for production and sale of firecrackers.

“These licenses were first issued on December 23 last year. They were renewed on May 6 this year.” According to Mr. Singh, the factory had started producing small fireworks only 15 days ago.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari arrived at the scene and criticized the state government over the incident. Mr. Patwari said, “This incident shows that the gunpowder mafia, which imports raw materials from China, is dominating the state.”

He alleged that the owner of the fireworks factory was enjoying the patronage of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Bay claimed that the fireworks produced at the factory were illegally stored in agricultural warehouses and that more than 40 underage boys worked at the factory. He demanded the immediate dismissal of the district magistrate for allegedly failing to prevent irregularities at the factory.