National
7 killed as brick kiln chimney caves in after blast
At least seven persons were killed and more than 25 injured when a brick kiln chimney collapsed after an explosion, in Itahari Sub-metropolis-16, Sunsari, on Monday.Bedraj Poudel
At least seven persons were killed and more than 25 injured when a brick kiln chimney collapsed after an explosion, in Itahari Sub-metropolis-16, Sunsari, on Monday.
Five among the deceased were Indian nationals.
Of the injured, condition of four is said to be critical. They are receiving treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.
The incident occurred at around 4:30pm at New Jaya Nepal Brick Factory.
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, resulting in its collapse.
Police have identified the deceased as Sagdam Hussain, 14, Salun Miya, 16, and Rahul Miya, 12, of Bengal and Mithalesh Paswan, 35, and Gariblal Paswan, 25, of Bihar, India. Shiv Narayan Chaudhary and Bhagalidevi Chaudhary, 60, of Ekamba in Itahari were also killed in the incident.
Tikaram Chaudhary, a local, said that the upper part of the chimney was destroyed by the April 25 earthquake and it was repaired recently. He said the incident could have occurred as wood and plastics kept in chimney holes during repair had remained there. The kiln owner had distributed sweats to celebrate the reopening of the kiln on Monday. “We heard a loud noise as we were having sweats. There was a stampede,” said Jalil Hussein. “The workers sustained injuries in the stampede.”