Tragedy Strikes Champahati Factory
A devastating explosion ripped through a firecracker manufacturing unit in Champahati, located in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, on Sunday, resulting in one fatality and leaving three other workers in critical condition. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and prompted a police manhunt for the factory owner, who is currently absconding.
Victims Identified, Condition Critical
The deceased worker has been identified as Gouhari Ganguly, 70. According to hospital sources, Ganguly suffered catastrophic burns covering approximately 80 per cent of his body and succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning. The three other injured labourers—Gour Gangopadhyay, Kishan Mandal, and Rahul Mandal—remain in a critical state, fighting for their lives in hospitals across Baruipur and Kolkata. Reports indicate one of the victims has sustained a staggering 90 per cent burn injuries.
The explosion occurred around 1 pm, with a force so severe that it caused significant damage to the factory structure and adjacent houses. Local resident Sanjeev Mandal described the sudden blast, stating, "The explosion occurred all of a sudden. The wall collapsed due to the intensity of the explosion." Witnesses reported that the deafening blast blew off the asbestos roof of the facility and even gutted a large tree nearby.
Owner on the Run, Probe Initiated
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the factory owner has fled, and a police investigation is actively underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Pratap Sengupta, Additional Superintendent of Police for Baruipur, confirmed, "The owner of the factory is absconding. The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. A probe has been initiated."
Preliminary investigations point towards the possibility of unskilled workers mishandling explosive materials, leading to the catastrophic blast. A senior police officer revealed that the firecrackers were being produced specifically for wedding celebrations. This incident casts a grim shadow over the region's informal firecracker industry, especially as it comes less than a month after a similar explosion in Champahati in December 2024 claimed three lives.
Emergency response teams acted swiftly following the explosion. Several fire tenders were deployed to battle the ensuing blaze and prevent it from spreading further. The injured workers were promptly extracted from the site and rushed to medical facilities for urgent treatment.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety regulations and oversight in small-scale manufacturing units, particularly those handling hazardous materials. As the police continue their search for the absconding owner, the community mourns the loss of life and prays for the recovery of those critically injured.
