Youth Killed in Blast at Private Factory in Ludhiana; Building Collapses After Cylinder Explosion

March 31, 2026

Ludhiana: A young man was killed and several others were feared trapped after a powerful explosion at a private firecracker factory in the Suhar area of Punjab’s Ludhiana district on Tuesday, triggering panic in the surrounding locality.

According to preliminary reports, the explosion is suspected to have been triggered by a lightning strike during inclement weather, which caused a short circuit inside the factory. The electrical fault reportedly ignited explosive materials and gas cylinders stored in the unit, leading to a massive blast that brought down parts of the building.

Police and rescue officials said the force of the explosion caused a section of the factory structure to collapse, trapping workers under the debris. Firefighters and emergency teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident and began rescue operations to search for survivors.

Officials confirmed that one young worker died in the blast, while rescue teams continued efforts to ensure that no one else remained trapped beneath the rubble.

The explosion created panic in nearby residential areas, with residents reporting a loud sound that could be heard from a considerable distance. Debris from the collapsed building was scattered across the surrounding area, prompting authorities to cordon off the site.

Army personnel were also called in to assist with the rescue operation due to the scale of the damage and the risk of further collapse. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove debris and search for possible survivors.

Police said an investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the blast and to determine whether safety norms were followed at the factory.