Death toll in Kolkata fire rises to 16, government announces financial assistance

News Topical, Digital Desk : The death toll in the massive fire that broke out at a famous momo chain factory and decorator's warehouse in Kolkata's Anandapur's Nazirabad has risen to 16 and 10 people are still missing.

The family has filed a missing person report at the local police station. The bodies of eight people were recovered yesterday from the fire that broke out early Monday morning. Eight more bodies were recovered on Tuesday. The state government has announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

The fire spread rapidly due to the large quantities of flammable material in the two warehouses. According to eyewitnesses, the flames were so fierce that those trapped inside didn't even have a chance to recover. As of the time of writing this news on Tuesday, the fire had still not been fully controlled.

Locals and the administration fear that the death toll may rise further as more people remain buried under the debris. When forensic teams and officials arrived on Tuesday morning, the scene was horrific. The bodies recovered were so charred that identification is impossible. The administration has sent the remains to a lab for DNA and forensic testing.

Locals were enraged by the Fire Minister's late arrival.

On Tuesday, about a day and a half after the accident, Fire Minister Sujit Bose and the department's Director General (DG) Ranbir Kumar arrived at the scene. The minister's delayed arrival angered local residents and BJP supporters.

In the presence of BJP MLA from Moyna, Ashok Dinda, the activists chanted "Go back" against the minister, leading to heated arguments and scuffles between Trinamool and BJP supporters. Sujit Bose admitted that there were no adequate firefighting arrangements.

There was no no objection certificate

Fire Department Director General Ranbir Kumar stated that the factory and warehouse did not have a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The 35,000-square-foot facility was being operated illegally, completely disregarding safety standards. An investigation will be conducted. Police have registered a case against the factory owners and have assured strict action against those responsible.

Read More: Know everything about the speed and capacity of the plane Ajit Pawar was travelling in.