The death toll of Itahari’s brick kiln explosion climbed to eight after a 17-year-old victim died while undergoing treatment on Tuesday.

 Seventeen-year-old Mustafa Alam Miya from the West Bengal state of India died at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.

Garibalal Paswan, 50, Mithilesh Paswan, 35, Salun Miya, 16, Sagdam Hussain, 15, and Rahul, 12, from Indian state of Bihar, Galadidevi Chaudhary, 60, from Ekamba area of Itahari-16 and Shiva Narayan Chaudhary of Pakali of Itahari-20 had died when a brick kiln chimney of New Jaya Nepal Brick Factory collapsed after an explosion at Itahari-7 in Sunsari district on Monday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chiranjivi Koirala said the bodies were handed over to the families.

Around one million raw bricks were being baked when the explosion took place after the smoke could not pass out of the 105-foot chimney. The structure then collapsed burying the people underneath.

Among the 15 people who were injured in the incident, two are said to be in critical condition. There are around 16 brick factories in Sunsari.

Pahuplal Chaudhary, a brick worker, admitted they are aware of the risk of working and living at the kiln site with their families. He said most of them live close to the kiln because they have  nowhere else to live.