West Bengal: A massive blast at a fireworks factory kills nine people and injures several others; CM announces compensation

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 17, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

The CM also declared compensation of 2.5 lakh for the kin of those killed and 1 lakh for those injured.

Digital Desk: Officials
claimed at least nine persons were killed and numerous others were injured in a
major blast at a firecracker plant in West Bengal's West Medinipur
district on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, on the instruction of the state
government, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an
investigation into the event.

According to sources, a
team from Kolkata's Criminal inquiry Department (CID) arrived at the scene
around 9.45 p.m. on Tuesday and commenced an inquiry with the assistance of
forensic experts after the state government turned over the case to CID.

Amarnath
K, Superintendent of Police in East Medinipur, stated, "Till now, 9 bodies
have been recovered, and efforts are being made to determine if any other
people were killed in the incident." Egra Super Specialty Hospital
referred two people badly injured in this event to Kolkata's SSKM."
"It was an illegal gambling establishment." There have also been 3 to
4 cases filed against this factory in the past. It was raided several times,
but the accused continued to operate it. "Efforts are being made to
apprehend the accused, identified as Krishnapada Bagh alias Bhanu Bagh,"
the SP added.

Following the tragedy, Mamata Banerjee
stated, "We are saddened by the incident." The injured have been
taken to a hospital. CID will investigate the case." The CM also declared
compensation of 2.5 lakh for the kin of those killed and 1 lakh for those
injured.

The explosion happened about 11:00 a.m. in
Khadikul village, which is under the jurisdiction of the Egra police station.
Initially, seven individuals were killed and seven more were gravely injured in
the tragedy.

Two fire engines were
dispatched to the scene, the fire was extinguished, and the rescue effort was
launched.

"Seven people were killed in the
incident, according to the most recent update." Seven people have been
badly hurt. The tragedy has profoundly grieved the state government, and they
will be compensated. The owner had previously been arrested. "The FSL and
Bomb Squad have been notified, and legal proceedings are underway,"
officials had previously stated.

"We're looking around. "The fire
has been extinguished," one of the firefighters, Amitabh Maiti, stated.

Sukanta Majumdar, the
president of the West Bengal BJP, urged a National Investigation Agency (NIA)
investigation into the incident in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a
thorough investigation into the bomb blast in Egra, West Bengal."
"The blast has raised serious concerns about the safety of the area's
residents, and this matter requires immediate attention," Mr Majumdar said
in a tweet.