1 dead, 1 injured in blast at Kolkata scrap vehicle unit
Times of India | 7 December 2024
12 Kolkata: A labourer, Sagar Soren (35) of Purulia, died on the spot and his fellow worker, Shankar Halder (55) of Baranagar, sustained injuries after an oiltanker exploded at a vehicle scrapping unit near Rabindra Bharati University on BT Road around 8am on Friday. At the time of the accident, the tanker was being cut. Locals said the impact of the blast was so severe that one of the victims landed on a nearby tree.
Halder is undergoing treatment at RG Kar Hospital. The exact cause of explosion is yet to be ascertained as cops are awaiting forensic reports. Butprima facie, investigators believe that flammable substances were stored inside the tanker, which exploded upon contact with the gas cutter. It had been alleged that the workers didn't take basic precautions while they were attempting to cut the tanker open.
"They received burn injuries when spark from the cutting machine ignited the fuel machine, causing a sudden and violent explosion," explained an officer of the Sinthee police station.
Residents alleged that the work of cutting petrol trucks was going on in a densely populated area. A similar fire had broken out while such a work was undertaken in the area. Sukanta Manna, a local, said, "The entire operation is illegal. Often, fire breaks out here." Locals alleged that illegal cooking gas cylinders were kept at the accident site. However, cops claimed to have not received any complaints about this facility earlier.
Tarun Saha, councillor of KMC ward no. 5 and chairman of borough no. 1, said, "This vehicle scrapping business has been going on in this area for the past 30 years. However, this dangerous method of cutting the vehicle body may have been taking place secretively. The municipality will take appropriate measures."