2 more workers missing after five deaths in Dewas blast:Fellow labourers say, ‘Where are they?’; were last seen in billing room

Following the firecracker factory blast near Tonk Kalan in Dewas district, the disappearance of two labourers has now come to light. Workers injured in the accident said that their two companions, Raju and Babul, have been missing since the explosion and are yet to be traced. Fellow labourers fear that both may have died in the incident. So far, five workers have lost their lives in the blast. Their bodies were handed over to their families late on Thursday night. Injured labourer recalls speaking to missing workers before blast Shashi Kumar, an injured labourer undergoing treatment at Dewas District Hospital, said he had spoken to Raju and Babul while they were eating shortly before the blast occurred. After that, neither of them was seen again. According to Shashi Kumar, there has been no contact with either worker since the accident. Their families were contacted and details of injured persons admitted to different hospitals were checked, but the two men could not be traced anywhere. Workers demand access to accident site Injured labourers and their colleagues said they fear the bodies of the missing workers may still be lying at the accident site. They are demanding permission to visit the site to gather information. The workers said Raju and Babul were residents of Araria district in Bihar and had come to Dewas for work a few months ago. Labourers said that most workers employed at the factory belonged to Arharia village in Bihar. Some had arrived two months ago, while others had come four months earlier for employment. The accident has caused panic among villagers and the workers’ families. Five workers killed, several injured So far, five people have died in the firecracker factory blast. Among the deceased, four workers were from Bihar and one was from Uttar Pradesh. The deceased have been identified as Sumit, Dheeraj, Amar and Guddu, all residents of Bihar. Sunny was a resident of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Several injured labourers are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Eleven people are admitted to Dewas District Hospital, while some critically injured workers have been shifted to Amaltas Hospital. Special investigation team formed Collector and District Magistrate Rituraj Singh has constituted a special investigation team to probe the incident. The team includes the Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department in Dewas, the Regional Officer of the Pollution Control Board in Dewas, and the Deputy Director of Industrial and Health Safety, Dewas. The panel will investigate the causes of the accident, safety arrangements at the factory, and compliance with regulations. Labour Department report points to magnesium powder reaction The Labour Department’s preliminary investigation report into the firecracker factory blast has now surfaced. Labour Minister Prahlad Patel said the primary technical reason behind the accident could have been a chemical reaction involving magnesium powder. It is suspected that magnesium powder came into contact with water during the construction process, triggering the powerful explosion. Another theory under examination is that static electricity generated during the handling of gunpowder caused self-ignition or spontaneous combustion. Officials are currently conducting a detailed investigation based on witness statements and evidence collected from the site. According to the report, the factory building had not yet been fully completed when firecracker manufacturing began there. The report stated that production activity had started in the under-construction unit in apparent haste, even before essential safety infrastructure had been properly tested. Factory allegedly operated without mandatory licence under Factories Act The management possessed an explosives licence issued by the Collector. However, no legal action was reportedly taken to obtain the mandatory licence required under the Factories Act. The report stated that hazardous work involving explosives and chemicals was being carried out without complying with Factory Act regulations and without adequate safety standards. Possible legal action on multiple violations 1. Factory operated without registration Operating the factory without registration was found to be a violation of Sections 6 and 7, read with Rule 4. Under these provisions, those found guilty could face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both. 2. Lapses in fire safety arrangements The absence of proper fire prevention systems at the factory premises amounts to a violation under Section 38, read with Rule 72. Violation under these provisions also carries punishment of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. 3. No attendance register maintained Action may also be taken under Section 62, read with Rule 96, for failure to maintain proper worker records and attendance registers. Violations under this provision can attract imprisonment of up to two years and a maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh. 4. No on-site emergency plan prepared Despite being a highly sensitive and hazardous unit, the mandatory on-site emergency plan under Section 41B had allegedly not been prepared. This is considered a serious offence and may attract up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh. 5. Failure to provide safety information to workers The report also found violations of Rules 127 and 128 for failing to provide workers handling gunpowder and chemicals with essential safety information, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Under these provisions, the management may face up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.