Cold storage collapses in Prayagraj, 4 dead and 20 buried; Poisonous ammonia gas spread up to 1 km

By Samira Vishwas On Mar 23, 2026

Prayagraj Cold Storage Blast: A cold storage building collapsed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh at around 1.30 pm on Monday afternoon. About 20 laborers were buried under the debris. The administration is running the rescue operation with 5 JCBs. SDRF and NDRF teams are on the spot. So far 9 people have been pulled out from the debris. Out of which 4 people are said to have died. However, the administration has not yet confirmed the deaths.

After the accident, ammonia gas started leaking from the cold storage. The smell of gas has spread for about 1 kilometer. Most of the people are wearing cloth (handkerchief, towel) tied over their mouth. The accident happened in Phaphamau area. People are angry about the incident. The police also faced opposition. Eyewitnesses say that first there was an explosion in the cold storage, then the building collapsed.

The building is in the name of SP leader

This building is named Adarsh Cold Storage SP leader And of former minister Ansar Ahmed. The cold storage is built on about 5 thousand square feet of land. About 1500 square feet of it has collapsed. More than 100 people work here. The police have detained the manager of the cold storage and several family members of Ansar Ahmed.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: There was an explosion in cold storage in Phaphamau area, rescue operation is going on. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/OC4x9D7Lgg
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) March 23, 2026

Prayagraj DM’s statement on the incident

Giving information about the incident Prayagraj DM Manish Verma said that so far eight people have been sent to the hospital. The condition of one of them is critical and he has been admitted to SRN Medical College. Relief work is going on. The exact number of injured and dead can be told only after the rescue is completed. A magisterial inquiry will be conducted into the accident.

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Laborer claims to have found 5 dead bodies

A laborer working in the cold storage said that we pulled out 6 people from the debris. Of these, 5 were dead bodies. The policemen took away 3 dead bodies. However, the administration has not yet confirmed a single death in the accident.