A devastating blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Singhewala village, Muktsar district, Punjab, claimed five lives and injured 29 migrant workers in the early hours of Thursday. The explosion, which occurred around 1 am, led to the collapse of the entire two-storey structure on Singhawali-Kotli road, near the Haryana border.

Senior Superintendent of Police Akhil Chaudhary stated that the blast occurred in the cracker manufacturing section, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh confirmed the recovery of five bodies from the debris.

All injured workers were rushed to AIIMS Bathinda and local hospitals for treatment. Emergency services and rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night to search for survivors and clear the rubble.

The unit reportedly employed numerous migrant labourers, who were caught in the tragic collapse. Authorities have launched a probe into safety compliance and potential negligence.