Amidst the festive joy, a deep shadow of grief descended upon the industrial zone of Jamuria in Asansol. While general people crowded the pandals for Mahasaptami pujo-parikrama, a horrific and tragic accident shook the Ikra Industrial Estate under the Jamuria police station. Near Gate No. 3 of the prominent 'Shyam Sel' factory, adjacent to the Sarthakpur cremation ground area, a massive under-construction chimney collapsed suddenly. In this horrific disaster, at least two workers tragically died trapped under the rubble, and several other workers were seriously injured, creating a deep void and sorrow amidst the Durga Puja festivities.
According to information received from locals and police sources, on the evening of Mahasaptami when the entire state was illuminated with festive lights, construction work on the chimney was going on in full swing inside the factory near Gate No. 3. It has been alleged that several workers were working on high structures in extremely risky and adverse conditions. At that moment, the wall of the under-construction chimney and a massive metallic structure suddenly collapsed with a loud crash. Within moments, the entire area was covered in thick dust and smoke, and the workers laboring below were trapped under massive piles of concrete and iron. Hearing the loud noise, surrounding workers and factory security guards rushed to the spot and assisted in initial rescue operations.
As soon as the news of the accident was received, a large contingent of police from Jamuria police station, combat forces, and multiple fire tenders reached the spot on a war footing. The administration began clearing the rubble to rescue the trapped workers promptly. Heavy JCBs and cranes from the factory were brought in to remove heavy concrete slabs and iron beams. After a long and arduous effort, four workers could be rescued. Among them, two were sent to a local hospital in an unconscious and extremely critical condition, where attending physicians declared them dead. Another worker was admitted to a private hospital in Asansol in a critical condition, where he is currently fighting for his life. Meanwhile, extreme anxiety has arisen over whether anyone else is still trapped under the debris. The administration has stated that the final casualty count cannot be confirmed until the rescue operation is complete.
As the news of this tragic accident spread, intense anger and tension erupted among local residents and agitated workers outside the factory. The initial allegation of the enraged workers was that this extremely dangerous construction work was being carried out without adhering to any proper safety protocols and protective gear. To ensure the situation did not go out of hand and there was no deterioration of law and order, high-ranking officials of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate quickly rushed to the spot. The entire area was cordoned off, and a massive police force along with combat forces was deployed.
Upon receiving the news, Jamuria's local MLA Bijon Mukherjee rushed to the spot. He personally supervised the rescue operations and instructed the administration to accelerate the rescue work further. At the same time, he strongly assured prompt and advanced medical treatment for the injured and adequate compensation for the families of the deceased workers.
This horrific accident during the festive season has once again raised strong questions regarding worker safety and working conditions in West Bengal's industrial belt. The police and the Factory Inspectorate have already initiated a high-level probe to thoroughly investigate how such a massive chimney construction was underway without adequate and mandatory safety measures, and whether there was any direct negligence by the factory authorities or administrative lapses behind this accident. Due to this sudden disaster on the night of Mahasaptami, wailing and a deep shadow of grief now prevail across the entire Asansol and Jamuria industrial belt.
