A Jamuria factory accident killed four workers after a chimney under construction collapsed near the No. 3 gate of Shyam Steel’s plant in the Ikra industrial area of Asansol on the night of Mahasaptami, triggering an overnight rescue operation and renewed questions about industrial safety.
The collapse took place near the cremation ground in the Sarthakpur area, where several workers were reportedly engaged in work at the time. The sudden failure of the structure left multiple people trapped under the debris, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin – Bengal.
Rescue teams began clearing the rubble immediately after the incident. Four workers’ bodies were recovered from the debris by late night. Local authorities resumed rescue operations the following morning to determine whether anyone else remained trapped under the collapsed chimney.
Jamuria MLA Dr Bijan Mukherjee, the police commissioner and senior administrative officials reached the site after receiving information about the accident. Police and combat force personnel were deployed in the area as authorities managed the rescue operation and the situation around the factory.
Officials also held a meeting with the factory management to discuss the incident and the assistance to be provided to the victims’ families. According to the report, it was decided that the family of each deceased worker would receive a one-time compensation of Rs 20 lakh. One member of each family would also be offered a job, while Rs 1 lakh would be provided immediately for funeral expenses.
The collapse has placed worker safety at the centre of attention in Jamuria’s industrial belt. The available report does not establish what caused the chimney to fail or whether any safety or construction-related violation contributed to the accident. Those questions are expected to be examined through the investigation announced by the local administration and the MLA.
Mukherjee said the entire incident would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible. He also said steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in Jamuria and that he would hold further meetings with the police and administration to strengthen monitoring of factories in the area.
The immediate official focus remains on completing the search of the debris, confirming whether any other workers are missing and proceeding with the announced assistance for the families of those killed. The authorities have not provided further details in the supplied report on the construction contractor, the project timeline or the findings of any technical inspection.
