Kolkata: An explosion at an illegal firecracker unit located in Egra in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal killed five people and injured seven others Tuesday, police said. West Bengal Environment Minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia confirmed that the explosion had indeed taken place. He condoled the death of the victims of the blast. He said that the government would take steps to give relief to people affected.
“We appeal to people to inform us of any illegal firecracker factories that they know of in their area. We will take strong steps against such units,” Bhunia said.
The impact of the explosion ‘was so massive’ that the factory, which was being run from a residential building, collapsed, a police officer said.
Officials had earlier placed the number of deaths at three. However, as more succumbed to injuries the figures were updated. Sources said that the toll due to the explosion is expected to rise as the conditions of some of the injured were ‘very’ critical.
“It (the explosion) took place inside a house where the firecracker unit was functioning. An investigation is underway,” the police officer said. Villagers informed that the entire house looked like a ‘war zone’.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a CID probe into the incident. Banerjee pointed out that the firecracker factory owner Bhanu Bag had been arrested by the police in November. However, he managed to get bail. She also informed that Bag is currently in Odisha. “We will arrest him from wherever he may take refuge,” Banerjee said.
Banerjee also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2.5 lakh to the kin of the deceased. “I just hope that the real culprits get punished,” she added.
