Tribune News Service
Karnal, February 24
With the death of two more persons who were undergoing treatment at a private hospital, the toll in the cracker factory blast that took place late Tuesday evening at Ghoghripur road on the outskirts of the city, has risen to three.
The deceased have been identified as Bala Kumar, alias Vijay Kumar (25), Vijay (22) and Kumar Samay (50), all residents of Tamil Nadu, while Pandi Shivam (28) was serious and undergoing treatment, said Sanjeev Malik, SHO, Madhuban.
FSL and ballistic experts led by Jai Singh, DSP, Gharaunda, also visited the factory to determine the reasons. However, the actual cause will be known after reports are out, but the police suspect that it may be due to the explosion in crackers. “The ballistic and FSL experts are yet to submit their reports, from the preliminary probe it seems there was an explosion in crackers,” the SHO maintained.
After the incident, the district authorities have assigned inquiry to determine the lapses in the factory and also check the fire safety arrangements. Besides, the team members will ascertain the lapses in other cracker factories or stores. “I have constituted a team led by Assistant Commissioner to determine the lapses and also check the fire safety arrangement in the factory. The team members will check the lapses in other cracker factories as well and submit the report in seven days,” said Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner.
The Superintendent of Police, Ganga Ram Punia, said the family members were yet to arrive here and after their statement, the FIR would be registered. “The factory has the licence of manufacturing crackers, but we have sought reports from various departments like fire brigade, FSL and others to ascertain the cause of explosion,” the SP maintained. It is learnt that two blasts took place in the cracker factory.
