Blast at firecracker factory in Punjab's Gurdaspur: Updates

The firecrackers were supposed to be used on Guru Nanak Dev’s marriage anniversary celebrations on Thursday. Ambulances, fire tenders are being rushed from Gurdaspur and Amritsar. DC, Gurdaspur, Vipul Ujwal has reached the spot along with SSP Upinderjit Singh Ghuman. More than 100 policemen are on the spot as well as many passersby hindering the rescue process. The reason behind the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

16 people are reported dead while 10 people have been injured in the fire: Gurdaspur Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Deepak Bhatia

Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh expressed anguish at the incident and said that relief works coordinated by DC and SSP were already underway. 

President of India Ram Nath Kovind expressed his condolences to all those who had lost their lives in the blast and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

Gurdaspur MLA Sunny Deol expressed sadness over the incident and said that the NDRF teams and officials from the local administration were taking part in relief works. 

Punjab Chief Minister's Office: Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Batala firecracker factory blast that killed 19 people and left 27 injured.

The death toll increases to 19 while 20 people are reportedly injured. Seven people have been referred to better treatment in Amritsar as many more are feared trapped in the debris

The Punjab Government announces Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50 thousand for the injured immediately