A worker who was injured in a massive fire at a chemical factory in Rewari's Bawal Industrial Area died at a private hospital in Gurugram on Thursday, marking the first fatality from the incident. Two workers have been missing since the blaze erupted on May 19.
Deceased Identified
The deceased, Hari Babu, 35, was employed in the factory's maintenance unit and was among six workers injured in the fire. A native of Rukhala village in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district, he succumbed to his injuries. DSP Surendra Syoran confirmed the death.
Missing Workers and Investigation
While officials initially reported six injuries, the number of missing persons increased from one on Wednesday to two on Thursday after families of workers arrived at the factory. Nearly 300 workers were reportedly inside the unit when the fire broke out.
Rewari SP Hemendra Meena stated that police have registered a criminal case against the factory management based on an injured worker's statement. Investigators are struggling to verify the exact number of workers present, as labour and attendance records were allegedly destroyed in the blaze.
Separate FIRs Filed
Separate FIRs have been registered against the factory management regarding the disappearance of Bihar residents Dharmendra Kumar and Satyendra Paswan. Dharmendra's family staged a protest outside the factory, alleging negligence and lack of transparency. Eyewitnesses reported heated arguments and a brief scuffle with police as family members demanded information about the missing workers.
Police later took relatives inside parts of the damaged factory to show them the fire-ravaged sections. Dharmendra's father alleged that portions of the unit were still smouldering and claimed incomplete firefighting efforts were hampering the search. Family members also accused the management of denying access to CCTV footage that could help trace the missing workers before the explosion.
Victim's Background
Dharmendra, a resident of Bihar's Sheikhpura district, had worked at the factory for nearly four years. He is survived by his wife and two children, including a six-month-old infant.
Search Operations Underway
Security around the factory was tightened later on Thursday. Police prevented Satyendra Paswan's family from entering the premises in the morning.
Rewari Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Meena said NDRF and HDRF teams have been conducting search operations for three days, but collapsed structures and heavy debris have slowed efforts. "The factory management has been directed to clear debris so that detailed searches can continue. Only after complete clearance can it be ascertained whether anyone remains trapped," he said.
