Prayagraj: Cold Storage Collapses After Ammonia Gas Tank Explodes; Four Laborers Dead

March 23, 2026

A cold storage facility belonging to Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Ansar Ahmed—located at Chandapur on the Prayagraj-Lucknow Highway in the Phaphamau area collapsed following a massive explosion.

The accident occurred due to the bursting of an ammonia gas tank. More than eighteen laborers were trapped beneath the debris. All of them were extricated in a frantic rescue effort.

Reports suggest that four laborers have died in the incident, while the condition of six others is described as critical. Ambulances from across the district have been deployed for relief and rescue operations.

Teams from the NDRF and SDRF are actively engaged in the rescue mission. Consequently, vehicular traffic on the Lucknow Highway at Malak Harhar has come to a complete standstill.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar, and numerous other officials have arrived at the scene. Over eighteen individuals were buried under the rubble.

The injured were pulled out and transported via ambulance to SRN Hospital. Police forces from several stations, including Phaphamau and neighboring areas, have reached the site. It is reported that the condition of four laborers rescued from the scene remains critical.

NDRF and SDRF teams have commenced rescue operations at the site. More than a dozen JCB excavators are being used to clear the debris and search for those still trapped underneath. By 4:15 PM, three bodies had been recovered. All the laborers are reported to hail from the Saharsa district of Bihar. One of the deceased has been identified as Jyotish from Saharsa.

More than eighteen laborers were present inside the cold storage facility at the time of the accident. The loud explosion, accompanied by a thunderous sound, left the residents of the surrounding area terrified. The police have detained several family members of Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Ansar Ahmed for questioning.