At least 10 people were killed and several others injured in a powerful blast at illegal firecracker factory running in a three-storied building at Kajbalichak under Tatarpur police station of Bhagalpur district in Bihar. The incident happened late on March 3.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of people died in the explosion.
“Prima facie it appears that the explosion took place because of illegal firecracker factory running in the house”, said Bhagalpur district magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen. Rescue operation are in operation with debris of the houses collapsed in the explosion are being removed from JCB machines, he added.
Locals, however, said the death toll may rise after removal of debris and as many as 12 injured people are admitted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medial College and Hospital in Bhagalpur. “Five people had died on the spot while others in the hospital. We’re asleep when a powerful explosion shook us in our bed and we ran outside to save our live”, said Nirmal Kumar whose house too was damaged in the explosion. “At least three adjoining houses were damaged in the blast where the illegal firecracker factory was running since long”, said another neighbor Ramesh Kumar. It is said that the family of Mahendra Mandal whose three-storied house was reduced to debris in the blast was in firecracker making business for four generation but no action was taken against them yet. “A similar explosion at this house had happened in 2008 as well in which three people were killed”, complained the neighbors.
All top district administrative officials and a FSL (forensic) team reached the spot, and later a probe was ordered into the incident. “No arrest has been made so far in the incident”, said Bhagalpur Deputy Inspector General of Police Sujit Kumar. “Bhagalpur district police alog with a team of FSL are investigating the incident”, said Additional Director General of Police. Sanjay Kumar. The state Police headquarter too has asked for a complete report on the incident from the Bhagalpur district police.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to express grief over the incident and wished speedy recovery of the injured persons. “The news of the loss of life due to an explosion in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district is painful. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. I spoke to the chief minister Nitish Kumar regarding the incident. The administration is engaged in relief and rescue operations and all possible assistance is being provided to the victim”, said PM in his tweet in Hindi. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar too expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of those died in the explosion. The chief minister also took all information of the incident from the state chief secretary and Director General of Police and directed them to take action after probe.
