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Prayagraj Cold Storage Collapse: Owner Held as Inquiry Probes Suspected Ammonia Blast

A magistrate-led probe now tests whether a gas blast tied to poor upkeep caused the collapse.

Overview

  • At the Adarsh cold storage in Prayagraj’s Chandapur-Phaphamau area, a section collapsed Monday afternoon, killing four workers and injuring 14, according to district officials.
  • An ammonia leak followed the failure, and firefighters contained the fumes after overnight work by police, the fire brigade, and NDRF and SDRF teams using excavators to clear debris.
  • Police registered an FIR with serious charges and arrested owner Ansar Ahmad along with two associates, while seizing facility documents for the case.
  • The district magistrate ordered a magisterial inquiry led by ADM Vinita Singh that seeks a preliminary report within 48 hours focused on a suspected ammonia explosion, licensing, and safety compliance.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to each victim’s family and Rs 50,000 to the injured, as many of the dead and hurt were migrant labourers from Bihar.