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One Dead, Three Critical After Blast at Firecracker Unit in Bengal’s Champahati

Police probe possible mishandling by unskilled workers, with the factory owner reported absconding.

Overview

  • The explosion struck around 1 pm on January 10 in Haral village, blowing off the asbestos roof, damaging nearby houses, and burning a large tree.
  • Firefighters and police doused the flames, rescued victims, sealed the site, and sent samples for forensic examination.
  • Hospital sources said Gouhari Ganguly, about 70, died of severe burns on Sunday, while Gour Gangopadhyay, Kishan Mandal, and Rahul Mandal remain critical.
  • A preliminary inquiry points to mishandling of explosive materials by unskilled workers, and officers say firecrackers were reportedly being produced for wedding celebrations.
  • Baruipur police report the factory owner is on the run as investigators examine licensing and safety lapses in a region with repeated fireworks-related blasts in recent years.