Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 18: At least four workers died and another was seriously injured after a chimney under construction collapsed at a private sponge iron factory in Jamuria in West Bengal’s West Burdwan district, police said on Sunday.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse and whether prescribed safety norms were followed during the construction work.
The incident triggered anger among a section of residents and workers on the factory premises. According to local sources, protesters also clashed with police personnel, who were trying to bring the situation under control.
According to local sources, a chimney was being constructed at Unit 3 of the Shyamsel factory in Jamuria on Saturday night when the structure suddenly collapsed while some workers were engaged in the work. The workers were buried under the rubble, prompting other factory employees to rush to the spot and initiate rescue efforts.
Police, fire brigade personnel and rescue teams from the state disaster management force subsequently reached the site and joined the operation.
After a prolonged rescue operation, five workers were pulled out from beneath the debris and rushed to hospital. Doctors declared four of them dead, while the fifth worker, who sustained serious injuries, was admitted to a private hospital in Durgapur for treatment.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Sukanta Pal and Balaram Mandal, both residents of Jamuria, according to local sources. Their colleagues said the third deceased worker was a native of Assam. The identity of the fourth victim is yet to be established.
Following the incident, family members of the deceased and injured workers, along with a large number of local residents, gathered outside the factory.
The accident has raised questions about the safety arrangements at the factory. Demands have been made for an investigation into whether adequate safety measures were in place to protect workers and whether the chimney was being constructed in accordance with prescribed technical standards. The exact cause of the collapse, however, remains unclear.
Jamuria MLA Bijan Mukherjee and Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar reached the spot on Saturday night after receiving information about the accident.
Mukherjee said an investigation was underway to ascertain the cause of the collapse. He added that authorities would also examine whether any negligence in the safety arrangements had contributed to the accident during the construction work.
The MLA said discussions would be held with the factory management regarding financial compensation for the families of the deceased workers and proper medical treatment for the injured worker.
Jamuria police have also initiated an investigation into the incident. A police officer from Jamuria police station said investigators were examining who was responsible for the construction work, whether the necessary precautions had been taken while building the chimney and what arrangements had been made to ensure workers’ safety.
The factory authorities, however, have not yet issued a detailed statement on the accident.