Chandigarh, May 31 -- A powerful explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Singhewala village of Punjab's Muktsar district killed five migrant workers and injured at least 34 others in the early hours of Friday. The two-storey structure, housing the factory, was reduced to rubble by the intensity of the blast, trapping several workers inside. Rescue operations continued well into the morning, with emergency personnel digging through debris to locate survivors.
Most of the victims were migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. As per officials, about 40 workers were present inside the factory at the time of the explosion, with some engaged in late-night packaging while others were asleep after their shift.
Emergency s...