Nine people were killed and several others were left injured after a chimney of a brick kiln exploded in Bihar, news agency ANI reported. The injured have been hospitalised and rescue teams are at the spot. PM Modi expressed pain at the loss of lives and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 from the injured


Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakhs to families of the deceased from the CM Relief Fund. Kumar said that the state government will bear the cost of treatment of the injured.






Meanwhile, Raxaul ASP Chandra Prakash said, "Investigation is being conducted from all angles...FSL team to collect samples for analysis. The area has been cordoned off as safety is the main concern."


The Motihari Police has said, "Seven people died, and several others were injured due to the explosion in the chimney of the brick kiln in Narirgir of Ramgarhwa PS. The injured were admitted to a hospital. Rescue operation is underway. ASP Raxaul, police teams present with SDRF teams at the spot."


"Victims have sustained severe injuries and suffered breathlessness due to the explosion in the chimney of the brick kiln in Narirgir. Seven to eight people have been admitted while three were shifted to ventilator," Sujit Kumar, Supt, SRP Hospital, Motihari said.


The incident happened at the brick kiln in the Ramgarhwa area in Motihari, they said.


Among those killed was the owner of the brick kiln, Mohd Ishrar, police said.


"The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have rushed to the spot. The rescue operation is also on," said a statement issued by the Bihar Police headquarters.


Several fire tenders were working at the site, he said.


Expressing sorrow over the deaths, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said


may the almighty give strength to the affected families to bear the loss of lives.


He directed officials to ensure that all injured persons get good treatment.


8 Killed In Tamil Nadu


Eight devotees who were returning from Sabarimala died after their car plunged into a 40-foot-deep pit at the Kumily mountain pass in Tamil Nadu's Theni district on Friday. All the passengers of the vehicle were natives of Theni-Andipetty.


Talking to ANI, KV Muralidharan, District Collector, Theni said, “Eight devotees died after their car plunged into a 40-foot-deep pit at Kumily mountain pass in// Theni district.”