Nadia: Four people died in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kalyani, in the Nadia district of West Bengal. The victims succumbed to burn injuries caused by the blast. Local sources said that two women were among the deceased. One woman is in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in Kalyani. Initial reports suggest that all the deceased were workers at the factory.
The explosion occurred on Friday afternoon in a firecracker factory located in the densely populated Rathtala area of Kalyani, Nadia. The intensity of the blast reduced the entire factory to ashes. Authorities fear that the death toll may rise further. Police from Kalyani police station and fire brigade personnel are present at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit during the firework-making process may have triggered the fire, leading to the explosion.
Explosion sparks chaos
Upon receiving the information, firefighters rushed to the site and brought the fire under control. The explosion caused a factory wall to collapse. Rescue operations are underway to determine if anyone is still trapped. The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation. Repeated concerns have been raised about firecracker factories in the state, with frequent allegations that many of them operate illegally. Protests against such factories in densely populated areas have yielded little success.
There are also allegations that these operations continue under the nose of the police and administration. The state government has issued warnings on the matter, and now, similar concerns are being raised about the Kalyani factory.
Official negligence alleged
Ward 20 councillor Subrata Chakraborty claimed he was unaware of the factory’s existence and only learned about it after the explosion. Meanwhile, local MLA Ambika Roy alleged that the police failed to act despite having prior knowledge. He said, “When such incidents happen, the police take action. But they already knew everything. I trust God. There is no such thing as law and order.”
Notably, in recent years, many firecracker factory explosions have occurred in the state. In 2023, 12 people were killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Khadikul. That same year, three people died in Budge Budge, two in English Bazar and nine in Neelganj.
