Five people were killed and several others were critically injured in a explosion at a plastic factory in India's West Bengal state on Thursday, officials said.
According to police, a major portion of the factory located in the Malda district in the state has been destroyed due to an explosion that occurred inside a heavy machine.
"Around a dozen fire tenders are at the spot trying to douse the blaze. Several fire fighters are working to rescue survivors from beneath the debris," a fire official of the district told the media.
Explosion at #Sujapur plastic factory in #Malda. At least 10 injured in the incident have been shifted to Malda medical college. More details awaited. Casualties feared. pic.twitter.com/IvEtiIKKg6
— Sreyashi Dey (@SreyashiDey) November 19, 2020
Speaking to Sputnik, Superintendent of Police Alok Rajoria of Malda district stated that after preliminary a inquiry, they are suspecting a technical or electrical malfunction in a heavy machine which was used to cut plastic had caused the high-intensity explosion.
"Our team of experts will collect samples from the scene and after a proper investigation, we can confirm the exact reason behind the explosion," Rajoria said.
Another police official of Malda district revealed that five persons are undergoing treatment at the hospital while some people received minor injuries in the accident and went back to their homes.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay announced that the government will give an ex-gratia of INR 200,000 ($2,692) to each of the families of the deceased and compensation of INR 50,000 ($673) each to the seriously injured persons.
