Two killed, four injured in explosion at firecracker unit in Palghar

Around 12 pm, an explosion occurred at a makeshift firecracker manufacturing unit operating from a tin shed in an old farmhouse in Konsai village, Wada taluka. About 35 workers, mostly women, were engaged in making 'twine bombs' at the time. One worker was killed on the spot, and a woman later succumbed to burn injuries estimated at 90%. Four other workers were seriously injured and were rushed to Wada Rural Hospital, with some transferred to Bhiwandi sub-district hospital and another facility for advanced care. Fire services and police arrived to assist; the blaze was brought under control. The deceased were identified as Bhavesh Dileep Vavare and Monica Sachin Padvale. Injured include Monica Mahendra Jadhav, Jagruti Jagdish Gavate, Pratibha Pratap Pawar, and Monica Mohan Vardi. Raw materials were brought from outside; the unit began operations on April 10. Daily-wage workers from nearby villages—Jamghar, Konsai, Palsai, and Alman—were employed there. Police are investigating licensing and safety compliance, with searches for the owners ongoing. The shed collapsed and sent splinters into the vicinity; body parts were found at some distance and sent for post-mortem.

A separate blast at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu occurred on Sunday, April 19, 2026, killing 23 people and injuring many.