Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, December 26
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high-level probe into the Muzaffarpur factory explosion incident that killed seven people and injured several others on Sunday.
Unconfirmed reports said that at least 10 bodies were trapped inside the debris after the boiler in a noodle and crunchy making factory at Bela industrial estate exploded on Sunday morning. Kumar announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of those killed in the blast.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chaitanya Prasad and additional DG of ATS S Ravindran reached the site of the blast, 80 kms north from Patna. Revenue Minister Ramsurat Rai, who visited the industrial estate, said action would be taken against the owners of the factory after getting report of the investigation.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Gyan Prakash confirmed seven deaths and feared the death toll may go up as fire brigade men and machine were engaged in clearing debris. The impact of the blast was severe as sounds were heard even 5 kms away from the factory. Printing press building of a multi edition Hindi daily was also damaged in the blast.
Roof and wall of the factory building was razed to the grounds due to impact of the blast. Local residents claimed they experienced earthquake like sound and glass panes of the buildings in the neighborhood were damaged.
Owners of the factory have not visited the factory after the explosion, claimed local police of Muzaffarpur
