Patna: At least seven people were killed and seven others were injured in a boiler explosion in a factory that produced noodles and other snacks in the Bela Industrial area in Muzaffarpur around 9am on Sundays.
The factory is run by Anshul snacks and Limited Pvt drinks.
Muzaffarpur DM Pranav Kumar said most people died of steam caused by explosions and some of them were found buried under the rubble of the building.
“Two dead people have not been identified because their bodies are very charred.
The exact cause of the incident cannot be ascertained immediately,” he added.
The impact of the explosion was such that the machines and roofs of the asbestos building were blown away and the factories adjacent in the area were also damaged.
Hearing a loud explosion, the locals immediately gathered in place.
Personnel Force Response Disaster State (SDRF) and local police are involved in rescue operations until late at night.
Five Fire Tenders are used to extinguish the fire.
Muzaffarpur SSP Jayant Kant said the seven bodies recovered from the place.
“Seven injured people underwent treatment at Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH).
Five victims were identified as Prakash Rai, Vinod Rai, Sandeep Kumar, Amarnath Sah and M Sahni,” he added.
The SSP added an initial investigation revealed that negligence on the part of those who was sunbathing the boiler control room caused an explosion.
“The control room staff has not checked the pressure, which caused an explosion in the stove,” he said.
The factory owner has been identified as Vikash Modi and Mona Modi.
The factory is being run in Muzaffarpur since 2006.
It is used to provide snacks to Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal too.
“A pine has been filed at the Bela Police Station against Vikash Modi, Mona Modi and Vikram Modi Supervisor for negligence,” police said.
Circle officers Married Sudhanshu Shekhar said seven injured people were identified as Vishal, Om Prakash, Vivek Kumar Sada, Satyam Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Mahadev and Kundan.