4 workers killed as chimney collapses at Bengal sponge iron factory
Synopsis
A chimney under construction at the Shyamsel sponge iron factory in Jamuria, West Bengal, collapsed late Saturday night, killing four workers and critically injuring one. Protests broke out at the site, police have launched a formal probe, and questions are mounting over whether safety norms were flouted during the construction work.
Key Takeaways
Four workers died and one was critically injured after a chimney collapsed at the Shyamsel sponge iron factory in Jamuria , West Burdwan , on the night of 18 October 2026 .
Two victims have been identified as Sukanta Pal and Balaram Mandal , both residents of Jamuria; a third was reportedly from Assam .
The collapse occurred during chimney construction at Unit 3 of the factory; the structural cause has not yet been confirmed.
Jamuria MLA Bijan Mukherjee and Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar visited the site and ordered an investigation into safety compliance.
Discussions are under way with factory management on financial compensation for the deceased workers' families.
Protests and clashes between workers and police were reported at the factory premises following the incident.
Four workers were killed and one critically injured after a chimney under construction collapsed at the Shyamsel sponge iron factory in Jamuria, West Burdwan district, West Bengal, in the late hours of Saturday, 18 October 2026, police confirmed. The incident triggered a rescue operation involving police, fire brigade units, and the state disaster management force — and later sparked protests at the factory premises.
How the Collapse Unfolded
According to local sources, workers were engaged in constructing a chimney at Unit 3 of the factory when the structure suddenly gave way, burying several labourers under the rubble. Co-workers at the site were the first to respond, beginning rescue efforts before emergency services arrived. After a prolonged operation, five workers were pulled out from the debris and rushed to hospital, where doctors declared four of them dead.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Sukanta Pal and Balaram Mandal, both residents of Jamuria. A third victim is reportedly a native of Assam, according to colleagues, while the identity of the fourth worker remains unknown. The seriously injured survivor has been admitted to a private hospital in Durgapur.
Protests and Public Anger
News of the deaths spread quickly, drawing family members of the deceased, fellow workers, and local residents to the factory gates. A section of those gathered erupted in anger, and according to local sources, clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel. Security forces were deployed to restore order at the site.
Officials Respond, Probe Launched
Jamuria MLA Bijan Mukherjee and Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar visited the site the same night. Mukherjee confirmed that an investigation had been ordered into the cause of the collapse and whether safety protocols were observed during construction. He also said discussions would be held with factory management regarding financial compensation for the families of the deceased and proper medical care for the injured worker.
The Jamuria police have registered a formal investigation. A police officer from the station said authorities are examining who was in charge of the construction, whether mandatory safety precautions were in place, and what worker-protection measures were adopted. No detailed statement had been received from the factory authorities as of the time of reporting.
Safety Failures Under Scrutiny
The incident has sharpened questions about occupational safety at industrial construction sites in West Bengal. Critics and local residents have demanded accountability — specifically, whether the chimney was being built in compliance with prescribed technical standards and whether workers were equipped with adequate safety gear. The precise structural cause of the collapse has not yet been established, according to officials.
This is not the first time a construction-related fatality has drawn attention to safety gaps at sponge iron and heavy industrial units in the West Burdwan belt, one of the state's most industrialised regions. With four lives lost overnight and one worker still hospitalised, the pressure on authorities to deliver a transparent inquiry is likely to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
With workers bearing the fatal cost. West Burdwan's sponge iron corridor has long operated in a regulatory grey zone where production pressures routinely eclipse safety compliance. The fact that no statement had emerged from the factory authorities even hours after the deaths is itself telling. Whether the investigation leads to meaningful consequences — or quietly dissipates as past inquiries have — will test the state government's seriousness on industrial worker safety.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Jamuria factory in West Bengal?
A chimney under construction at the Shyamsel sponge iron factory in Jamuria, West Burdwan district, collapsed late on Saturday night, killing four workers and critically injuring one. Emergency services, including police, the fire brigade, and the state disaster management force, conducted a rescue operation before the victims were rushed to hospital.
Who are the workers who died in the Jamuria chimney collapse?
Two of the four deceased have been identified as Sukanta Pal and Balaram Mandal, both residents of Jamuria. A third worker was reportedly a native of Assam, according to colleagues, while the identity of the fourth victim has not yet been confirmed.
What is the cause of the chimney collapse at the Shyamsel factory?
The precise structural cause of the collapse has not yet been established, according to officials. An investigation has been launched into whether mandatory technical standards were followed during chimney construction and whether adequate worker safety measures were in place.
What action have authorities taken after the Jamuria factory accident?
Jamuria MLA Bijan Mukherjee and Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar visited the site the same night. A formal police investigation has been opened, and discussions with factory management on compensation for the deceased workers' families have been initiated.
What is the condition of the injured worker from the Jamuria accident?
One worker who was seriously injured in the chimney collapse has been admitted to a private hospital in Durgapur. His condition was described as critical at the time of reporting.
