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Two die as firecrackers in trucks explode in Ajman

AJMAN — Two workers were killed and two policemen were injured when firecrackers loaded in two Ajman Civil Defence trucks went off in Al Jarf area in Ajman yesterday. The trucks were carrying around 300kg of firecrackers which were kept in over 250 cartons.

The dead included an Indian and an Egyptian. The two injured policemen were rushed to Khalifa Hospital. Colonel Ali Abdullah Alwan, Director General of Ajman Police, told Khaleej Times that the firecrackers had been recently confiscated by Ajman Police from outlets and warehouses in the emirate’s industrial area. They were to be destroyed, as per a court order, but they exploded due to an error, he said.

Colonel Alwan explained that the explosion was caused due to friction of the firecrackers in the moving truck.

The explosion caused a deafening noise which was heard by residents in most parts of the emirate, creating panic among them.

Following the blast, Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Crown Prince of Ajman, personally witnessed the rescue operation. The body of the Indian worker who died in the accident was found immediately and taken to the morgue.

However, the body of the Egyptian worker who perished in the accident was recovered only after a long search by the Civil Defence team. Salih Al Matorushi, Director General of Ajman Civil Defence, said the rescue team had reached the site within 10 minutes of the blast, which was reported at 10.30am. Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Kareem Hilmi, Head of the Emergency section at Khalifa Hospital, said the two injured policemen had received burn injuries on their faces, hands and legs.

They will be kept in the ICU for two days, Hilmi said, adding that their condition was stable.

• UAE