Hapur: Police personnel inspected after explosion in chemical factory
Highlight
- Hapur SP said that on reaching the spot, the boiler did not explode, but there was some kind of explosion.
- The reason for the blast will be known only after the FSL investigation report comes.
- Death toll in Hapur chemical factory fire rises to 13
Gunpowder used to make toy gun pellets is suspected to be behind the blast at a chemical factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur, which claimed 13 lives, the victims of the incident claimed. Commenting on the incident, Hapur Superintendent of Police said that the police had received information about the boiler explosion.
“On reaching the spot, no boiler exploded, but there was some kind of explosion.”
Though the cause of the blast will be known only after the investigation report of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) comes, the SP said that the police have recovered plastic pellets used in toy guns from the spot.
“We will only get to know about what kind of material exploded after the FSL report. We have recovered plastic pallets from the spot. These pallets are used in toy guns along with crackers on Diwali. These pallets were being built inside the factory,” he said.
The SP further said that the information about the type of material being filled in those pallets will be clear only after the FSL report comes.
Hapur factory blast: Death toll 13
Preliminary investigation revealed that 33 people were working in the factory at the time of the incident, out of which 13 died and 20 others were injured.
Uttar Pradesh Police has booked sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 287 (negligent conduct in relation to machinery), 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit murder), 337 (negligent act causing danger to human being). An FIR has been registered under life), and section 338 of the Indian Penal Code (gravely hurt by act endangering human life).
The relatives of the blast victim alleged that gunpowder was used to fill plastic balls like bullets in the factory.
“The gunpowder suddenly exploded. No one understood how the explosion happened,” he said.
In addition, the victim’s sister said that nine other family members (along with the victim) were in the factory at the time of the blast, of whom two died.
“Due to the high heat, gunpowder can explode,” she said.
She also pointed out that workers in the factory were hired on a salary of Rs 8,000-9,000.
Hapur district magistrate (DM) Medha Rupam said, “Permission was there for manufacturing electronics goods, but it needs to be probed as to what exactly was happening. A committee will be formed. The forensic team is finding out which one.” The chemical has been obtained (in the manufacturing explosion) at the factory.”
(with inputs from ANI)