Four dead, one injured in explosion at firecracker factory in Bengal's Nadia
Kolkata, Feb 7 (PTI): At least four persons, including three women, died in an explosion at an “illegal” firecracker manufacturing unit in Nadia district of West Bengal on Friday, police said.
Another woman suffered injuries in the explosion at the factory located in a congested residential area of Rathtala in Kalyani, they said.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
"Four persons were rescued from the blast site, and later declared dead when taken to the nearby JNM Hospital. The condition of the injured woman is critical," a senior police officer said.
The factory owner has been arrested, he said.
"Those killed were workers in the factory," the officer said, adding, the cause of the blast is not yet known.
A team of forensic experts has collected evidence from the spot, he said.
A blaze that erupted in the unit and damaged a portion of it following the explosion was brought under control by firefighters, after around one-and-a-half hours, police said.
Talking to reporters, a senior official of the fire department said no licence was issued to the factory and it was operating without necessary approvals.
The West Bengal government has also sought detailed reports from the district police administration and the district magistrate in connection with the explosion.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
