Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, March 4
At least 14 people died in a devastating explosion that took place on Friday at a house reportedly running an illegal firecracker factory.
Sixteen others suffered serious injuries in the serial explosions in the house, located in the crowded residential colony, Tatarpur in Bhagalpur, divisional headquarters, 250 kms west from Patna.
The house is owned by Mohammad Yusuf, who was running a crackers manufacturing unit. The impact of the powerful blasts could be gauged by the reports that four adjoining houses were also razed.
The rescue team of the district administration apprehends more may be trapped in the debris. The rubbles are being removed with JCB machines.
Dr Ashim Kumar Das, superintendent of Jawahar Lal Nehru medical College hospital said ten bodies were sent to mortuary in the morning. According to Dr Das, 16 injured in the blast are admitted in the hospital. The two critical wounded succumbed later.
S K Singhal, Director General of Bihar police said in the evening that the death toll in Bhagalpur blasts has gone upto 14. The Officer in-charge of Kotwali police station , Sudhanshu Kumar has been suspended as illegal unit of crackers manufacturing was operating in his jurisdiction.
Pinki Kumari, who lost her father in the blast, complained local residents had informed the police about illegal unit manufacturing explosions in the house, but police remained indifferent,
The incident took place barely 100 metres from Kotwali police station. Interestingly, this is not the first time that the unit has faced a fire emergency and no precautionary measures were taken.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning dialled Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and inquired about the explosions in Bhagalpur town.
Modi expressed shock over the serial explosion late midnight and asked Nitish to expedite rescue and relief measures.
