Firecracker factory blast in India kills 8 children

On August 31, 2026, a firecracker factory exploded in Uttar Pradesh, India, killing 11 people, including 8 children, with the youngest victim aged four. The blast destroyed several houses, and rescue teams and citizens searched for survivors under the rubble. The cause is unclear. Local authorities and the Chief Minister have promised assistance, and Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences and promised compensation. This is the third such blast in August, with the highest death toll.