A forensic probe has confirmed that aluminium powder—commonly used in firecracker production—was responsible for the devastating explosion that tore through a warehouse near Deesa, Gujarat, killing 21 people, police revealed on Wednesday.
Alongside aluminium powder, forensic experts also discovered yellow dextrin powder at the site, where firecrackers were being stored, according to Banaskantha district Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshayraj Makwana.
Although both substances are key ingredients in firecracker manufacturing, SP Makwana stated that an in-depth investigation was ongoing to determine whether firecrackers were being illegally produced at the warehouse.
Deadly Blast Leaves Devastation
The explosion, which occurred around 9:45 AM on Tuesday, was so powerful that it flung body parts of workers hundreds of meters away. Several workers’ family members, who lived on-site, were crushed under falling concrete slabs from the collapsing structure, officials said.
Later that night, authorities arrested the warehouse owners, charging them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Explosives Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
Warehouse Had Expired Firecracker Storage License
Deesa Sub-Divisional Magistrate Neha Panchal disclosed that the warehouse had once been licensed to store firecrackers, but the permit expired on December 31 and was never renewed due to regulatory lapses. “The license was only for storage, but initial findings suggest they may have been manufacturing firecrackers illegally,” she added.
Potential Illegal Activities Under Investigation
SP Makwana highlighted that aluminium powder, though flammable, is legally available in the open market as it is not classified as an explosive. However, when ignited in a confined space, it can trigger a powerful blast.
“The accused have denied manufacturing firecrackers, but given the evidence found, we are conducting a deeper probe. We are also investigating the presence of oxidizers, which are crucial for making firecrackers,” he stated.
Additionally, authorities revealed that one of the accused, Deepak Mohnani, was previously arrested for involvement in a cricket betting racket.
To uncover further details, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been deployed, along with seven additional teams analyzing financial transactions and call records of the accused.
