West Bengal, India

In West Bengal, India, an explosion at an illegal firecracker unit has killed nine people while 13 others are critically injured as per reports. Local police told media that the impact of the explosion was "so massive" that the residential building on which the factory was being run collapsed.

Advertisment

Villagers described the scene as something of a "war zone", with body parts and debris strewn all around, including in a nearby pond. While the official toll remains low, locals claim that over 20 have perished in the blast.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "The illegal firecracker unit was functioning at a house in a village near the West Bengal-Odisha border. Five people were killed and seven others were critically injured in the blast." 

The factory was located in Egra of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal.

Advertisment

As per Banerjee, the firecrackers were "being sent to Odisha and local labourers were working there." She also stated that "an investigation is underway". The probe is being undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Also read | India: BMC to build 'Bow-String' bridge to connect coastal road with Bandra Worli sea link

The Trinamool Congress leader has announced that the next of kin of the deceased will get a compensation of INR 2.5 lakh each (USD 3,040 approx), while the injured will get INR 1 lakh (around USD 1,200).

Advertisment

The owner of the factory was reportedly arrested last October for running the factory and is now on the run. He is believed to have fled to the neighbouring state of Odisha after the explosion.

"He was arrested in October last year but got bail from the court. He fled the state soon after the explosion. I will ask the police to share his details with their counterparts in Odisha so that he is arrested immediately," said Banerjee.

As per the chief minister, action will be taken against the local police chief of Egra police station as "he had no information that an illegal firecracker unit was operating" in the area.

Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the explosion.

Reacting to the demand, Banerjee said, "We do not have any objection to the NIA probe. But I would like to point out that the probe by the CID has already started."

Expressing fear that state police might illegally shift the bodies, Adhikari also demanded that central forces be immediately deployed in the area.

Also read | India: WPI falls into negative for first time since July 2020, govt cites high base effect as the reason

"Huge explosion in Sahara village in Egra, Purba Medinipur, at the local TMC leader Krishnapada Bag's (alias Bhanu) house. I am receiving news from the ground that the number of casualties is enormous. Immediately, central forces should be deployed as dead bodies are being shifted illegally by Mamata Police," he alleged in a tweet.

"I urge @HMOIndia & Hon'ble @BengalGovernor to initiate @NIA_India investigation as early as possible. Bengal has become the stockpile of explosives...," he said in another tweet.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.