Jaipur, India – Tragedy struck a chemical factory in Jaipur’s Bassi as a boiler explosion claimed the lives of at least five laborers, leaving two others critically injured, according to officials familiar with the incident. The horrific incident unfolded while seven laborers were at work, with five losing their lives on the spot, and the remaining two sustaining severe injuries and being rushed to Sawai Man Singh Hospital for treatment, as reported by Bassi assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Mukesh Chaudhary.
Upon receiving the distressing news, the ACP, along with the local police station team and Jaipur collector Prakash Rajpurohit, immediately rushed to the scene. The efforts were intensified with the arrival of around nine fire engines, which eventually managed to bring the inferno under control after three hours of relentless battle against the flames, as shared by the ACP.
The victims were identified as Krishnalal Gurjar, Manohar, Gokul Harijan, and Hiralal, while the injured were named as Manohar Gurjar and Kaluram. Dr. Rakesh Jain, the principal of the SMS burn ward, disclosed the critical condition of Manohar with 95% burn injuries and Kaluram with 65% burns, both requiring urgent medical attention.
As investigations delve into the root cause of the boiler explosion and the lapses in the fire extinguisher system, the owner of the factory remains at large, prompting further inquiries. In the wake of this devastating incident, the grieving families of the deceased are seeking compensation and employment opportunities for the bereaved.
Expressing his condolences, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma extended support to the affected families, emphasizing the need for swift relief and rescue actions. He mourned the tragic loss of lives in the factory mishap and urged expedited efforts for the recovery of the injured, ending his message with a prayer for the departed souls.
The aftermath of the explosion has brought mourning and demands for justice from the families of those lost, as authorities grapple with the investigation into this unfortunate incident that has shocked the community and raised concerns about industrial safety measures. The repercussions of this tragic event are a stark reminder of the risks faced by workers in hazardous environments and the critical importance of upholding safety standards to prevent such disasters from reoccurring.