The death toll in the explosion at an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Ramol area climbed to 10 on Monday, 21 July, after a critically injured victim succumbed to extensive burn injuries at the Civil Hospital in the early hours of the morning. The blast, which tore through the New Gujarat Fire Works unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road on Saturday afternoon, has triggered a widening criminal investigation and a broader crackdown on illegal firecracker units across Ahmedabad.

Latest Victim and Hospital Update

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi confirmed that the deceased, identified as Govind Damor, died at 2:15 am after sustaining burns over more than 95 per cent of his body. Damor was originally from Dahod district — a detail that reflects the broader demographic of the victims, many of whom reportedly hail from the same region.

Dr Joshi said five patients in total were admitted to the Civil Hospital following the incident — one woman and four men. 'One woman and one man had sustained severe burn injuries. The man had suffered burns over more than 95 per cent of his body, while the woman had sustained burns over more than 75 per cent of her body. Both were in critical condition and were undergoing treatment in the ICU,' he said.

Treatment Details and Skin Bank Intervention

Of the remaining three patients admitted to the Burns Ward, one sustained 40 per cent burns and another 20 per cent burns. Notably, the Civil Hospital's Skin Bank was pressed into service: donated skin was grafted onto approximately 28 per cent of the body of the patient with 40 per cent burns, and onto about 15 per cent of the affected area of the patient with 20 per cent burns. The hospital's plastic surgery team is providing intensive care. The fifth admitted patient is described as 'completely stable.'

What Caused the Blast

Investigators allege that the New Gujarat Fire Works unit was operating illegally, with its manufacturing licence having expired. The explosion on Saturday afternoon triggered a major fire that destroyed the premises and trapped workers inside. Personnel from a nearby Rapid Action Force (RAF) camp, along with firefighters and police, conducted rescue operations before the blaze was brought under control.

Arrests and SIT Probe

Police have registered a case against factory operator Ramila Dodia, her son Mehul Dodia, and their alleged partner Sadiq Saiyed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Explosives Act. All three have been arrested. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct a detailed probe.

Authorities are also investigating alleged violations of safety regulations, the source of the explosives, and the possible operation of other illegal firecracker manufacturing units in and around Ahmedabad — signalling that this tragedy may expose a wider network of unlicensed units. This is not the first such incident in Gujarat; illegal firecracker factory blasts have claimed lives in the state on multiple occasions in the past decade, raising persistent questions about regulatory enforcement.