Ahmedabad firecracker factory blast kills 9 in Ramol, July 2025
Synopsis
Nine people are dead after a blast ripped through an allegedly illegal firecracker unit in Ahmedabad's Ramol on 18 July — most victims suffering 95 per cent burns. With RAF personnel among first responders and PM Modi announcing ex gratia, the incident has put the spotlight on enforcement gaps around unlicensed firecracker manufacturing in urban Gujarat.
Key Takeaways
A firecracker factory explosion in Ramol, Ahmedabad on 18 July killed nine people .
Four victims were declared dead before arrival at L.G.
Hospital ; four more died during treatment with approximately 95 per cent burns .
One additional death was recorded at Asarwa Civil Hospital ; five patients remain under treatment.
The unit is being investigated as an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing operation.
PM Narendra Modi and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced ex gratia for victims' families.
The exact cause of the blast is yet to be established; investigation is ongoing.
Nine people have died and several others are undergoing treatment after a powerful explosion and fire tore through an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Ramol area on Saturday, 18 July. Hospital authorities confirmed that most fatalities resulted from severe burn injuries sustained in the blast at Mehmudpura, Ramol-Gatrad Road, opposite Talent School.
Casualty Breakdown
According to official hospital updates, nine people were taken to L.G. Hospital following the incident. Four victims — one man and three women — were declared dead before arrival. Of the remaining five admitted with extensive burn injuries, four subsequently died during treatment; hospital authorities stated all four had sustained approximately 95 per cent burns, and included one man and three children. One woman continues to receive treatment at L.G. Hospital and her condition is reported to be stable.
At Asarwa Civil Hospital, six people were brought in after the explosion. One person died there, bringing the overall death toll to nine, while the remaining five patients are undergoing treatment in the Burns Ward on the third floor of the Trauma Centre.
How the Blast Unfolded
The explosion occurred on Saturday afternoon at an open plot and a shed being used for manufacturing and processing firecrackers in Mehmudpura. The premises, which police are investigating as an allegedly illegal operation, caught fire following a powerful blast that caused extensive structural damage and trapped several people under debris.
Personnel from the nearby Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp were among the first responders, reaching the site immediately after the explosion and assisting in rescuing those trapped before fire brigade teams arrived. Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services subsequently deployed a Mini Fighter, two 20-kilolitre water bowsers, two Bolero Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and an ambulance to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Officials later confirmed that the fire had been completely brought under control, with cooling operations continuing at the site. The operation was supervised by the Chief Fire Officer along with Additional Chief Fire Officers and other senior fire department officials.
Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot, Standing Committee Chairman Kamlesh Patel, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner, senior police officers, and other civic officials visited the site to review rescue and relief efforts. They directed officials to ensure immediate medical attention for the injured, complete extinguishment of the fire, and a thorough probe into the cause of the incident.
Political Response and Ex Gratia
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences over the loss of lives. Both leaders announced ex gratia assistance for the families of the deceased and for those injured in the tragedy.
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been established, and an investigation is underway. The illegal nature of the unit — if confirmed — raises broader questions about enforcement of firecracker manufacturing regulations in urban industrial zones across Gujarat.
Point of View
And who was supposed to be checking? Gujarat has seen periodic enforcement drives against unlicensed pyrotechnic units, yet incidents of this scale keep recurring. The ex gratia announcements from the Prime Minister and Chief Minister are a necessary first response, but they cannot substitute for accountability. If the unit was indeed operating illegally, the investigation must trace not just the blast's technical cause but also the regulatory failure that allowed it to function in an open plot opposite a school.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the Ahmedabad firecracker factory blast?
Nine people died in the explosion and fire at an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ramol, Ahmedabad on 18 July. Most fatalities were caused by severe burn injuries, with four victims suffering approximately 95 per cent burns.
Where exactly did the Ahmedabad blast occur?
The explosion took place at an open plot and shed in Mehmudpura, on Ramol-Gatrad Road, opposite Talent School in Ahmedabad. The premises were being used for manufacturing and processing firecrackers.
Was the firecracker unit operating legally?
Police are investigating the unit as an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing operation. The exact legal status has not been officially confirmed, and the investigation is ongoing.
What ex gratia has been announced for victims?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel both announced ex gratia assistance for the families of those killed and for those injured in the blast. Specific amounts have not been detailed in official statements.
What is the current condition of survivors?
One woman remains under treatment at L.G. Hospital and her condition is reported to be stable. Five other patients are being treated in the Burns Ward at the Trauma Centre of Asarwa Civil Hospital.
