4 children injured in explosion at firecracker factory in UP

Four children sustained burn injuries when an explosion took place at a firecracker factory where they were working here Saturday, officials said.

Jhansi District Magistrate Shiv Sahay Awasthi said the explosion took place in a firecracker factory.

"At a licensed firecracker factory in Palra village, the sudden explosion took place at around noon. Four children sustained burn injuries and have been admitted to Jhansi Medical College, where the condition of one of them is said to be critical," he said.

"The labor department has been directed to initiate stringent actions against the erring factory owner for employing minors in the firecracker factory," the DM said.

Search is underway to trace the factory owner Angad Gupta, he said.

The district magistrate also said that action has been initiated to cancel the license of the factory. He added that a case has been registered against the factory owner.