Tue Apr 01 06:32:06 UTC 2025: ## Eight Dead in West Bengal Firecracker Factory Explosion

**Kolkata, April 1, 2025** – A devastating fire, triggered by an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit, claimed the lives of eight people, including four children, in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Monday night. The incident occurred in a house located near the factory, with stored fireworks exacerbating the blaze.

Seven victims perished at the scene, while one succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The deceased include Prabhabati Banik (80), Arabinda Banik (65), Swantana Banik (28), Arnab Banik (9), Anushka Banik (6), and two six-month-old infants and their mother, Sutapa Jana. Eleven family members resided in the house.

Local MLA Samir Kumar Jana confirmed the family owned a licensed firecracker unit near the residence. However, residents allege the factory also produced illegal crude bombs and that authorities accepted bribes to overlook the illegal activities. A large quantity of firecrackers was discovered near the house following the explosion, which demolished parts of the structure.

This tragedy follows a pattern of similar incidents in West Bengal. A February explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Nadia district killed four, while previous incidents in Purba Medinipur and North 24 Parganas districts resulted in multiple fatalities. A state committee investigating illegal units was formed in May 2023.

The incident has sparked outrage. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar called for an NIA investigation, while Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged the building was a crude bomb manufacturing unit and criticized the lack of preventative action. The opposition is demanding answers from the West Bengal Police regarding the proliferation of illegal firecracker and bomb-making operations.

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