Kolkata: At least four workers were injured in an explosion in a sponge iron factory in the Jamuria area under Asansol Municipal Corporation in West Burdwan district, said the police on Saturday morning.
The incident took place late last night in the Sheikhpur area of the Ikra Industrial Estate in Jamuria. A large number of police and fire brigade officers reached the spot and rescued the trapped workers. The injured were sent to the hospital for treatment.
As soon as the news of the explosion spread, leaders from political parties also reached the spot.
Kanchan Pal, a resident of Sheikhpur village, said an explosion occurred at a private factory in the area. The loud noise spread panic among the people of Sheikhpur village. He also said that cracks appeared in many houses in the area due to the explosion.
Police and the fire brigade reached the spot immediately after receiving the news of the accident. They quickly started rescue work. The police surrounded the entire area to bring the situation under control.
The incident triggered tension in the factory premises.
Initially, it was believed that the accident occurred due to an explosion in the furnace; however, the exact cause is still unclear. The police have launched an investigation to find out the real cause of the accident.
The factory authorities are also investigating the entire matter separately.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of workers working in the night shift.
A local resident, Kanchan Pal, said, “The factories are not doing any maintenance work, which is why such major accidents are happening. We want the administration to take strict action against this. The affected families must get proper compensation.”
A local BJP leader, Deep Banerjee, who arrived at the scene, said, “There are no safety rules in the factory. Even after the accident, no factory authority came to talk to people. We will ask the authorities to look into the matter and help the families of the injured with compensation.”
(IANS)
