At least seven workers were killed and two others remain trapped after a major fire broke out at a chemical factory in the Khushkhera-Karoli industrial area of Bhiwadi on Monday morning, authorities confirmed. The blaze, which officials said spread rapidly due to the presence of volatile chemicals, sparked an immediate rescue operation by local emergency teams.

According to Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra, police were alerted to the incident during a routine patrol in the industrial zone. On arrival, rescue personnel found nine workers trapped inside the burning factory unit. Seven bodies were recovered from the site, while intense efforts are ongoing to locate and extract the two remaining individuals believed to still be inside the premises.

Firefighters and first responders worked for hours to control the blaze, contending with hazardous materials that accelerated the fire’s spread. Initial reports indicate that between 20 and 25 workers were present in the factory at the time of the incident. Some managed to evacuate immediately, but others became engulfed by the rapidly advancing flames.

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Local authorities have not yet released detailed information about the specific cause of the fire. Preliminary observations suggest that chemicals stored on site contributed to the intensity and speed of the inferno, a common risk in facilities handling industrial solvents and reactive compounds. A formal investigation into safety protocols, equipment standards and compliance with industrial regulations has been announced.

The tragedy has drawn sharp attention to worker safety in industrial hubs across the region, where rapid commercial expansion has often outpaced regulatory oversight. Bhiwadi, part of the National Capital Region’s industrial belt, has seen multiple accidents in recent years, raising concerns among labour advocates about enforcement of safety standards at chemical and manufacturing facilities.

Family members of the victims and local residents gathered near the site as officials continued operations, with grief and frustration mounting over the loss of life. Senior police officials and district administrators remain at the scene, coordinating the search for the two workers still unaccounted for and preparing for further updates as the situation evolves.

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