Three killed in explosion at fire-cracker factory in Bengal

Three killed in explosion at fire-cracker factory in BengalMay 16, 2023Kolkata, May 16 (IANS) At least three persons have been killed and four others severely injured in an explosion at a fire-cracker factory at Egra in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district on Tuesday.The impact of the explosion was so tremendous that entire house in which fire-cracker factory was running collapsed completely. The policemen suspect that more bodies will be recovered after the rescue operation is completed. The four injured persons have been shifted to a nearby hospital, where their condition is said to be critical.The police are investigating whether the explosion was just because of the fire-crackers stocked there or because of the explosion of crude bombs that might have been manufactured there under the garb of the fire-crackers factory. The local people have alleged that the said fire-cracker factory was running in a totally illegal manner without requisite permission or monitoring of the local administration including police.The local people have also alleged that their repeated appeals for taking action against the illegal fire- crackers factory mushrooming in the area were ignored by the local administration.Till the time the report was filed, a huge police contingent had arrived at the spot. The policemen have cordoned off the entire area.To recall, in the closing part of the previous year, a similar explosion occurred in Bhupatinagar, also in East Midnapore district. There persons, including a local Trinamool Congress, leader were killed and several others injured in that explosion.–IANSsrc/svn/