Ahmedabad, July 20
The death toll in the explosion at an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Ramol area has risen to 10 after one of the critically injured victims succumbed to extensive burn injuries at the Civil Hospital in the early hours of Monday.
Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi said the deceased, identified as Govind Damor, died at 2:15 a.m. after suffering burns over more than 95 per cent of his body. He was originally from the Dahod district, like many of the victims.
"Today, five patients were admitted to the Civil Hospital following the tragic incident at the Ramol firecracker factory. Among them, there was one woman and four men. Of these, one woman and one man had sustained severe burn injuries. The man had suffered burns over more than 95 per cent of his body, while the woman had sustained burns over more than 75 per cent of her body. Both were in critical condition and were undergoing treatment in the ICU," Dr Joshi told IANS.
Dr Joshi said the remaining patients continue to receive specialised treatment.
"The other three patients are admitted to the Burns Ward. Two of them have burn injuries, with one having sustained 40 per cent burns and the other 20 per cent burns. Since the Civil Hospital has a Skin Bank, donated skin has been grafted onto approximately 28 per cent of the body of the patient with 40 per cent burns. Similarly, donated skin from the Skin Bank has been grafted onto about 15 per cent of the affected area of the patient with 20 per cent burns. Our plastic surgery team is providing intensive treatment and is making every effort to ensure their speedy recovery," he noted.
He added that the fifth patient admitted to the hospital "is completely stable".
The blast occurred on Saturday afternoon at the 'New Gujarat Fire Works' unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road, where investigators allege an illegally operated firecracker manufacturing unit was functioning despite its licence having expired.
The explosion triggered a major fire, destroying the premises and trapping workers inside. Personnel from the nearby Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp, firefighters, and police carried out rescue operations before the blaze was brought under control.
Police have registered a case against factory operator Ramila Dodia, her son Mehul Dodia and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act and the Explosives Act.
All three have been arrested, while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct a detailed probe into the incident.
Authorities are also investigating alleged violations of safety regulations, the source of the explosives and the operation of other illegal firecracker manufacturing units in and around Ahmedabad as part of a wider crackdown launched after the tragedy.
