Boiler blast at Bihar factory, 7 killed

Dheeraj Kumar | NT

Patna: At least seven people lost their lives and many others injured when a boiler exploded in a noodle-making factory in north Bihar’s Muzaffarpur on Sunday, according to officials.

Senior superintendent of police Jayant Kant told News Trail that legal action will be taken against all those responsible for the blast, adding that an FIR will be also registered against the factory owner and others in this connection. He said that the blast, which took place around 9.15 a.m., ripped through the factory, as it had its roof also blown off. The reason behind the blast could not be ascertained immediately but there could be some maintenance problem, he added. District magistrate Pranav Kumar said the injured have been shifted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur.

Meanwhile, chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed his deep condolences over the deaths and instructed officials to make proper arrangements for treatment of the injured. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family members of each deceased. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe into the blast. Experts from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) will assist police personnel in conducting the probe.

According to eyewitness accounts, the impact of the blast was so huge it could be heard five kms away from the factory. Some people living in the neighbourhood rushed out from their houses as they mistook the vibration following the blast as a tremor. The casualty figures may also rise as there is a possibility that more bodies are trapped under the debris, sources claimed.