West Bengal
West Bengal: At least five killed in Malda plastic factory explosion
Kolkata/IBNS: At least five labourers were killed and several others were seriously injured in a high intensity explosion at a plastic factory at Sujapur area under Kaliachak Police Station limits in Malda district of West Bengal on Thursday morning, officials said.
According to reports, a major portion of the factory has been destroyed due to the explosion that occurred inside a heavy machine.
"After preliminary inquiry, we are suspecting that a technical or mechanical or electrical malfunction in a heavy machine, which was used to cut plastic, caused the high intensity explosion," Malda SP Alok Rajoria told IBNS.
"Our expert will collect samples from the scene and after a proper investigation we can confirm the exact reason behind the explosion," Alok Rajoria said.
The IPS official said that four labourers were killed at the scene and another later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, taking the toll to five.
"Five persons are undergoing treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital while we have come to know that two-three more were minorly injured in the accident and they went back to their homes," Rajoria added.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay announced that the government will give an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to the deceased's families and a compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured persons.
Officials said that Kolkata Mayor and Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Bobby Hakim will visit the explosion site and meet the victims later today.
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