Gaya Village in Mourning After Deadly Industrial Accident in Chhattisgarh
A profound sense of grief has enveloped Gotibandh village in the Dumariya block of Gaya district, following the tragic deaths of six local men in a devastating industrial accident. The incident occurred on Thursday when a coal kiln exploded at a sponge-iron plant located in Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district of Chhattisgarh, claiming multiple lives and leaving several others critically injured.
Victims Sought Livelihood Far From Home
All six deceased had traveled to Chhattisgarh approximately 15 days prior to the accident, seeking employment to support their financially struggling families. Among the victims were a father-son duo: Sundar Bhuyian (40) and Rajdev Bharti (22). According to family members, Sundar had departed around two weeks ago, while Rajdev joined him on January 18, hoping to contribute to the household income.
The other individuals who lost their lives in this tragic explosion have been identified as:
- Shravan Kumar (22)
- Jitendra Bhuian (37)
- Badri Bhuian (42)
- Vinay Bhuian (40)
Survivors Recount Narrow Escape and Family Devastation
In addition to the fatalities, five other men sustained serious burn injuries and are currently undergoing medical treatment in Chhattisgarh. A village resident, Rajesh Thakur, shared a harrowing account of the events. He revealed that a contractor had taken a group of 25 men from the village to Nepaniya village in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh.
"Fortunately, I returned home on January 18 due to personal reasons," Thakur stated. "Otherwise, I would have been among the victims. All these men came from poor financial backgrounds. For instance, Vinay was a father to four daughters and a son, while Jitendra had a four-month-old daughter. The surviving family members will now face immense hardship in making ends meet."
The families of the deceased are grappling with shock and despair. Shankar Bharti, father of Shravan Kumar, expressed his anguish, saying, "My son left home about 15 days ago, and suddenly we received the devastating news of his death on Thursday." Similarly, Sarita Devi, wife of Vinay Bhuian, recounted, "My husband also departed with the other men around two weeks back, hoping for a better future."
Government Response and Compensation Assurance
In response to this tragic incident, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi, has stepped forward to offer support. He has assured the grieving families that a thorough probe will be conducted to investigate the circumstances leading to the explosion. Furthermore, the minister promised that adequate compensation would be provided to the kin of the deceased.
Minister Manjhi also emphasized that arrangements are being made to bring the mortal remains of the victims back to their native village in Gaya. This will allow the families to perform the last rites with dignity and according to their traditions, providing some solace during this period of immense sorrow.
The incident highlights the perilous conditions often faced by migrant workers who travel long distances in search of employment. It underscores the urgent need for stricter safety protocols in industrial settings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
