Blast at Illegal Firecracker Factory Claims Six Lives in Bengal
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A tragic explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas, has led to the deaths of six people, including three children. The incident highlights ongoing issues with illegal firecracker operations in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Six fatalities, including three children, reported.
- Explosion occurred at a residence-based firecracker factory.
- Local authorities and fire services responded to the blaze.
- Concerns raised over potential increase in casualties.
- Similar tragic incidents have plagued West Bengal in recent years.
Kolkata, April 1 (NationPress) A devastating explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing facility in Patharpratima, located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals, including three children, on Monday night.
According to the information currently available, the explosion occurred around 10 p.m. at a makeshift firecracker factory situated in the home of a local resident, Chandranath Banik. The loud blasts alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the scene only to find the entire building engulfed in flames.
Residents initiated the first attempts to extinguish the fire before a significant number of police officers from the nearby Dholahat police station and state fire service personnel arrived to assist.
As of the time this report was prepared, the blaze had not yet been fully controlled.
Reports indicate that six charred bodies, including those of three children, have been recovered thus far. Local residents fear that the casualty count may rise as comprehensive rescue efforts are still in the early stages.
The local Trinamool Congress MLA from the Patharpratima Assembly constituency, Samir Jana, visited the site to oversee the firefighting and rescue operations. He confirmed that, according to his information, six charred bodies had been retrieved from the house consumed by flames.
In recent years, West Bengal has frequently made headlines due to tragic incidents resulting from illegal firecracker factory or warehouse explosions.
Earlier in February, four individuals lost their lives and numerous others were injured in a blast at a firecracker factory in Kalyani, located in the Nadia district. In another incident this year, nine people died in a similar explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra, situated in East Midnapore. Similar incidents have also occurred in Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas in the past couple of years, leading to multiple fatalities.
Each time such blasts occur, authorities promise strict actions against illegal firecracker operations, yet police raids tend to diminish shortly thereafter.
