The death toll from the tragic explosion at a firecracker factory in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas, on Monday night has risen to eight. Among the deceased are members of the same family, including two infants, two children, and an 80-year-old woman.
Sutapa Banik, who was undergoing treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital in critical condition, succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday morning.
Local residents have strongly criticised the authorities, blaming both the police and the local MLA for failing to prevent the disaster.
Despite being aware of illegal firecracker manufacturing in the area, no action was taken, leading to the devastating loss of lives.
Protests erupted on Tuesday morning, with residents expressing their anger towards the police and administration.
Koteshwar Rao Nalavha, Superintendent of Police for Sundarbans Police District, said, "We have launched an investigation into the explosion that took place in the Patharpratima area under the jurisdiction of Dholahat Police Station. We are investigating to ascertain the cause of the incident."
The aftermath of the explosion left the area in shock. Firecracker materials were found scattered across the site, the roof of a house was blown off, a wall collapsed, and gas cylinders were found floating in a nearby pond. Forensic teams arrived on Tuesday to analyse the scene.
Mathurapur MP Bapi Haldar visited the site for an inspection.
According to local residents, the firecrackers were being produced in a house for Basanti Puja when the explosion occurred at around 9:30 PM, shaking the entire area with a loud blast. The house was quickly engulfed in flames, leading to the deaths of family members.
Patharpratima MLA Sameer Kumar Jana stated, “The explosion occurred while firecrackers were being made, resulting in a massive fire. The firecracker factory had been operating in the area for a long time and had a valid licence. The house where the explosion occurred was home to 11 members of a family involved in the business.”
Among the victims were family members of Chandrakant Banik and his brother Tushar.
The victims include the siblings’ father Arvind (65), grandmother Prabhavati (80), Chandrakant's wife Santwana Banik (28), her son Arnav (9), and daughter Asmita (8 months), and Tushar's children Anushka Banik (6) and Ankit (6 months).
Tushar’s wife, Sutapa, initially survived with critical injuries but later passed away in the hospital.
The remaining three family members were outside at the time of the explosion and escaped unharmed.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly further recalled a similar incident in February, stating, "Less than two months after an explosion on Feb 7, 2025, had taken 4 precious lives at Kalyani, another such incident has happened. This time at Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas district. Bhupatinagar, Egra, Budge Budge, Kalyani, the list grows long. How many more tragedies will take place before serious action is taken? The DGP @WBPolice must answer why the State of West Bengal is sitting on a pile of crude bombs?"
Adhikari alleged that the West Bengal government had failed to curb such incidents and predicted that monetary compensation would be announced, only for the issue to be forgotten in time.
"Tomorrow, most probably Rs. 2 lakhs will be announced for the next of kin of the victims, and a week later, people will move on to the next news, forgetting this incident, till the next tragedy takes place. Absolutely no accountability for such incidents in WB. The inefficient Police Minister Mamata Banerjee is to be blamed for allowing this to happen," he stated.
Meanwhile, the state police have reached the spot in Patharpratima village in Dholahat, where the explosion was reported late last night.
Further details are awaited.
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