Bahadurgarh factory blast toll rises to 6, owners booked

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, February 29

Two more bodies were recovered on Saturday from the debris of the chemical factory during the rescue operation by a 38-member team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at Bahadurgarh in the district, taking the toll up to six. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jitender Dahiya ordered an inquiry into the explosion at the factory.

“The charred bodies of two men were trapped deep in the debris and the NDRF team had to toil in pulling out the bodies. The rescue operation by the NDRF is being conducted since Friday evening and will take more time as debris is yet to be removed from a considerable area,” said sources, adding that the possibility of more bodies could not be ruled out.

The sources said the Bahadurgarh police had booked the Delhi-based owners of the chemical factory on a complaint by the owner of the adjoining shoe manufacturing unit, which collapsed in the incident. It was among the four other industrial units adjacent to the chemical factory which collapsed in the explosion and fire. Many labourers working in these units suffered injuries. At least 30 of the injured were undergoing treatment at hospitals and were stated to be out of danger.

“Bahadurgarh SDM Tarun Pawaria will conduct the inquiry to find the exact cause behind the incident. He will ascertain negligence, if any, on the part of the chemical factory owners in adhering to rules and guidelines. The SDM has been asked to submit the inquiry report as early as possible so that further action can be taken accordingly,” the DC said. He said removal of debris was the priority and the NDRF team was working round the clock.

A delegation of the Centre of Indian Trade Union led by state secretary Jai Bhagwan visited the spot and the hospital. They demanded Rs 10 lakh as financial aid to the next kin of deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured, besides stern action against the factory owners. They demanded verification of registration of every industrial unit being run in Bahadurgarh, claiming that many factories were being run illegally.