Four workers were killed after a construction-stage chimney collapsed at the Shyam Sel factory in the Ikra industrial area of Jamuria, Asansol, during the night of October 17, with rescue operations continuing the following morning to determine whether anyone else remained trapped.
The collapse occurred near the factory’s No. 3 gate, close to the Sarthakpur crematorium, while several workers were reportedly present in the area. The structure suddenly gave way, bringing down debris and trapping a number of people beneath it.
Rescue teams began clearing the rubble soon after the accident. Four bodies had been recovered from the debris by late night, according to the report. Local administration resumed rescue work from the morning to establish whether additional workers were still trapped at the site.
Jamuria MLA Dr Bijan Mukherjee, the police commissioner and senior administrative officials reached the location after receiving information about the incident. Police and combat force personnel were deployed in the area as officials worked to manage the situation and examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Administrative officials also held a meeting with the factory management. The meeting decided that the family of each deceased worker would receive one-time compensation of Rs 20 lakh. One member of each affected family would be offered employment, while Rs 1 lakh would be provided immediately to meet funeral expenses.
The accident has brought renewed attention to worker safety at industrial sites, particularly where construction activity is taking place inside or close to operating factory premises. The supplied report does not establish what caused the chimney to collapse or whether the structure had undergone any safety inspection before the incident.
Dr Mukherjee said a detailed investigation would be conducted and that 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. According to the report, the MLA plans to hold further meetings with the police and administration to monitor factories in the area.
The immediate priorities remain the completion of the rescue operation, identification and handover of the deceased workers, and the investigation into the construction and safety conditions at the factory site. Further official findings are expected to clarify the cause of the collapse and responsibility for the deaths.
