A horrific accident occurred in the Canning area on Tuesday when a drum filled with chemicals exploded, leaving four young children severely burned. The victims, all students of Khargachhi Primary School, were playing near the site of an ongoing road construction project when the blast occurred.
The Incident: A Playful Afternoon Turns Into Tragedy
The explosion took place on the 7-kilometer stretch of road currently under renovation between Ghatakpukur and Madhya Khargachhi. According to local witnesses, a drum containing approximately 200 liters of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) had been left by the roadside.
Four children, identified as Sadikul Molla, Samiul Molla, Raihan Molla, and Riaz Hasan Molla (aged between 8 and 10) were playing near the container. Suddenly, the drum exploded with a deafening sound. The intensity of the blast was so severe that one child was instantly engulfed in flames; in a desperate attempt to numb the excruciating pain, the young boy leaped into a nearby pond.
Medical Emergency and Hospitalization
Local residents rushed to the scene and immediately transported the injured children to the Nalmuri Rural Hospital. Due to the severity of their burns, three of the children, including Sadikul whose condition is reported as critical, were later shifted to M.R. Bangur Hospital in Kolkata for specialized emergency treatment.
High-Level Investigation Underway
Following the blast, tension gripped the locality. Saikat Ghosh, Deputy Commissioner of the Bhangar Division, and Saokat Molla, the TMC MLA for Canning East, visited the site to meet with the victims’ families. MLA Molla assured the families of full administrative support during this crisis.
The police have initiated a formal investigation into the lapse in safety protocols. To determine the exact cause of the ignition, specialized units including the Kolkata Police Bomb Squad and Dog Squad were deployed to inspect the remnants of the drum and the surrounding area.
Concerns Over Safety Negligence
The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who are questioning why highly flammable materials were left unsecured and unattended on a public road. Concerns regarding the lack of safety barriers and oversight during the road repair work have left the community in a state of deep anxiety over the safety of their children.