Two Succumb to Injuries After Devastating Faridabad Industrial Fire and Explosions
In a tragic turn of events, two individuals have lost their lives following a severe fire and a series of explosions that rocked the Mujesar industrial area in Faridabad earlier this week. The incident, which initially left 37 people injured, has now claimed the lives of Abhishek Monga, 32, and Pradeep, 30, as confirmed by authorities on Thursday.
Details of the Fatalities and Ongoing Treatment
Abhishek Monga, the son of Vijay Monga, owner of Kalkaji Lubricants, passed away at 3:20 AM at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi due to critical injuries sustained during the Monday blaze. His father, Vijay, remains under intensive care at the same medical facility, battling serious wounds from the catastrophic event.
Police reports indicate that Pradeep, aged 30, died at 1:30 PM on Thursday at Safdarjung Hospital. Both deceased were initially admitted to Fortis Hospital in Faridabad but were urgently transferred to Delhi hospitals via a green corridor established on Monday night, highlighting the severity of their conditions. Authorities have yet to determine whether Pradeep was a factory worker or among the onlookers present during the incident.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Disaster
Preliminary investigations reveal that the disaster originated at Shiv Steel Company, where a steel-cutting machine caught fire while operational. The flames rapidly spread to the adjacent Kalkaji Lubricants unit, which stored highly inflammable chemical drums without protective covers. This negligence triggered a chain of powerful explosions, exacerbating the crisis.
Faridabad police spokesperson Yashpal Yadav stated that police and administrative officials are closely monitoring all victims, with at least 25 onlookers suffering burns from the initial blast inside the steel factory. Among the injured are Nikhil Monga, owner of Shiv Steel Company, two firefighters, and three police officers, underscoring the peril faced by first responders.
Heroic Efforts and Injuries Among Rescue Personnel
The fire department received the first distress call around 4:30 PM on Monday, prompting an immediate response from the NIT fire station team. Firefighters Ranveer and Bhavi Chand, along with driver Gopal, led the initial rescue operations, unaware of the volatile chemical storage on-site.
As they laid hose pipes to combat the flames, a massive explosion erupted from the chemical drums, propelling Ranveer into the air and slamming him against a fire tender parked outside. Bhavi Chand was trapped inside the inferno but managed to crawl out despite severe injuries before collapsing. Three police officers involved in the rescue also sustained injuries during the chaotic efforts.
Both firefighters remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at a Delhi hospital, with their bravery highlighted in the face of extreme danger. An administrative officer noted that eight patients in total were referred to Safdarjung and AIIMS hospitals using the green corridor, emphasizing the scale of medical emergencies arising from this industrial tragedy.
