A devastating explosion tore through a fireworks manufacturing unit in Champahati, on the outskirts of Kolkata, on Saturday afternoon, leaving all four workers inside the facility with severe burn injuries. One of the victims is in a critical condition, fighting for his life with burns covering 80% to 90% of his body.
The Sequence of a Tragedy
The incident occurred around 12:20 pm, sending shockwaves through the neighbourhood. According to local witnesses, the calamity unfolded with three consecutive deafening explosions. The force of the blasts was so immense that it blew off the corrugated-sheet roof of the unit and caused the brick walls to collapse. The workers trapped inside had virtually no opportunity to escape the inferno.
Local residents immediately alerted the emergency services. Firefighters, with two fire engines, and personnel from the Baruipur police district rushed to the spot. The injured workers were swiftly transported for medical treatment. Gourhari Ganguly, Gour Gangopadhyay, Kishan Mandal, and Rahul Mandal were the victims of this horrific accident. Among them, Gourhari Ganguly's condition is reported to be critical.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The scene after the blast was one of utter devastation. Shambhu Mandal, a neighbour, described the chaos: "By the time we reached the spot, the roof had flown away and the walls collapsed. Chemicals were scattered, drums were lying overturned. All four workers were lying there, badly burnt."
Police have launched a detailed probe into the incident. A key line of inquiry is whether the unit, owned by Bidhan Mandal who remains untraced, possessed a valid licence to manufacture fireworks. Preliminary investigations suggest that firecrackers were being assembled for a wedding function at the time. Authorities suspect that mishandling of materials by unskilled workers might have triggered the catastrophic blast. Samples from the site have been collected for forensic analysis to determine the exact cause.
Critical Condition and Hospitalization
The injured were initially taken to the Baruipur Subdivisional Hospital. Given the severity of their burns, some were later shifted to a private hospital located near the EM Bypass for advanced care. The medical teams are battling to save the lives of the victims, with Gourhari Ganguly requiring intensive treatment for his extensive injuries.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the grave risks associated with unregulated or poorly managed firecracker manufacturing units, especially those operating without proper safety protocols and trained personnel.
