AP firecracker operator dies in Hussain Sagar boat fire; Search for missing youth continues
Hyderabad: Ganapati, a 22-year-old firecracker operator from East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, has died from injuries sustained in a boat fire on Hussain Sagar Lake. The incident occurred during a fireworks display on the night of January 26, 2025, as part of the ‘Bharat Mata Maha Harati’ program at Peopleβs Plaza on Necklace Road.
Ganapati sustained 80% burns in the explosion caused by a firecracker that went off course and ignited the entire set of fireworks. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad, where he later passed away from his injuries.
An FIR has been filed at the Secretariat Police Station regarding the fire accident. According to the complaint, the incident took place around 8:30-9:00 p.m. on January 26, when a firecracker struck the boat, leading to a fire that damaged the boat and jetty. Several individuals aboard the boat, including Ganapati, sustained injuries. Firecracker operators Palle Pranith, boat driver Dubasi Sunil, and others were injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Meanwhile, a search operation is ongoing for Ajay, a 21-year-old B.Tech student from Nagaram, who went missing during the incident. Ajay was reportedly on the boat with friends when the fire broke out. While his friends managed to escape, Ajay has not been located. Authorities have deployed expert swimmers from the Disaster Response Force to search the lake.
Ajay’s mother last spoke with him around 8:30 p.m. on January 26, when he informed her that he was at Tank Bund with friends and would return home after midnight. When she tried calling him around 11:00 p.m., his phone was off. By 2:00 a.m., Ajay’s friends contacted the family, reporting him missing. After checking local hospitals without finding him, the family contacted the police. It is suspected that Ajay may have jumped into the lake during the fire.
The fire occurred during the fireworks display marking the conclusion of the ‘Bharat Mata Maha Aarti’ program, organized by the Bharat Mata Foundation. The two boats, operated by the Telangana Tourism Department, were carrying additional firecrackers, and the explosion caused extensive damage.
The event had concluded before the fireworks began, and was attended by Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, and other dignitaries. Emergency responders, including firefighters, quickly arrived on the scene and carried rescue operations.
Police continue to investigate the incident as the search for Ajay continues.
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Ganapati, a 22-year-old firecracker operator from East Godavari, has tragically died from severe burns following the Hussain Sagar boat fire during a fireworks displayβ¦
β Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) January 28, 2025
