Kolkata
A tragic incident occurred at a brick kiln in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, resulting in the reported deaths of four individuals and severe injuries to 35 others. The calamity unfolded on Wednesday night as workers at the factory attempted to ignite a chimney that had been inactive for an extended period.
According to a local police official, two individuals lost their lives on the spot, while a third succumbed to injuries early Thursday morning. The bodies of the deceased have been moved for post-mortem examinations, and the injured are presently receiving treatment at a local hospital, with five individuals in critical condition.
The rescue efforts initially commenced with assistance from local residents, and subsequently, local police and the state government’s rescue team joined in. Operations persisted into the early hours of Thursday.
Of the three deceased workers, only two have been identified as Hafizul Mondal (34), a local resident, and Rakesh Kumar (39), a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh. The identity of the third victim remains unknown. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain whether there were any lapses in maintaining the chimney and other critical installations at the brick kiln. Local complaints have highlighted the illegal operation of several brick kilns in the area, allegedly neglecting minimum safety measures for workers.
