After Egra, Another Blast At Illegal Cracker Unit In Bengal Kills Three Women

As per confirmation from a senior official, the incident prompted the state government to initiate a CID investigation on Monday.

This was the second occurrence of a similar nature in West Bengal within a span of one week. ( Image Source :Vipin Solanki )

An explosion at an illegal firecracker production facility located approximately 26 kilometers from the city resulted in the deaths of three female relatives, one of whom was a minor, and various individuals being wounded, according to authorities, news agency PTI reported.

On Monday, the police from the South 24 Parganas district announced that a detonation occurred at approximately 8:30 pm on Sunday evening, claiming the lives of Jamuna Das (65 years old), alongside her daughter named Pampa Ghati and her granddaughter Jayashree, who was only ten years old.

This was the second occurrence of a similar nature in West Bengal within a span of one week. Earlier on May 16, 12 individuals tragically lost their lives due to an explosion at an unauthorized firecracker production facility in Egra, located in the Purba Medinipur district. On May 19, the chief perpetrator of the Egra explosion passed away at a hospital located in Cuttack, Odisha.

As per confirmation from a senior official, the incident prompted the state government to initiate a CID investigation on Monday.

The initial investigation by a police official suggests that the explosion could have originated from the burning of incense sticks in the 'puja room' located on the house's terrace where the accident occurred.

"It seems that the blast occurred after the explosives illegally stored in the house caught fire, which probably spread from incense sticks lit in the evening in the puja room located on the terrace of the house," he was quoted by PTI in its report.

According to an official from the police department, a number of individuals suspected of operating unauthorized firework production facilities in the area were detained and a significant amount of explosive materials that had been stored in various residences were confiscated during overnight police raids conducted on Sunday and Monday.

The blast's casualty count was unspecified.

The location of the occurrence was the balcony of the one-level dwelling, occupied by three females.

Speaking with PTI, Senior police officer of Diamond Harbour police district stated: "Three women, including a minor, were declared brought dead when they were taken to a nearby ESI hospital. All of them had suffered third degree burn injuries from a blaze which was reported from the terrace of their house, where an illegal firecracker factory was operated."

"We have conducted raids in the area and seized at least 20,000 kg of explosive materials used to manufacture firecrackers and arrested more than 30 people for their involvement in running such illegal businesses. Raids are on and police are investigating the cause of the fire," the officer said.