Five workers were killed and three injured after a brick kiln chimney collapsed in Tripura’s Dhalai district. The accident triggered rescue operations, police investigation, and detention of the kiln owner over possible safety lapses.
At least five workers lost their lives and three others sustained serious injuries after a brick kiln chimney collapsed following a fire inside the structure at Halalhali under Kamalpur subdivision of Tripura’s Dhalai district on Wednesday, officials confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred at the ABC Brick Industry when workers were preparing to resume kiln operations after a seasonal shutdown. According to officials, a sudden fire erupted inside the tall chimney, leading to a structural failure that caused it to collapse without warning. Three workers were killed on the spot after being trapped beneath falling debris, while two others later succumbed to burn injuries during treatment at hospitals.
The deceased have been identified as Subal Debnath (55), Pinku Shil (37), Anil Goutam (49), Sajal Malakar (40), and Bidhu Sharma (45). Authorities said the bodies were identified and would be handed over to family members following the completion of mandatory medical examinations and legal procedures.
Police confirmed that three other workers suffered grievous burn injuries in the incident. One of the injured remains in critical condition, while the other two are reportedly responding well to treatment and are expected to be discharged within the next few days.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dhalai district, Mihir Lal Das, rushed to the accident site shortly after receiving information and supervised rescue, recovery, and security arrangements. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with police and local volunteers, worked for several hours to clear debris and rescue trapped workers.
The owner of the brick kiln, Souvik Paul, along with the unit’s manager, has been detained by police and taken to Kamalpur Police Station for questioning. Officials said further legal action would depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Kamalpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer S Debbarma said that a formal complaint was being registered and a detailed probe would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the incident.
“At present, the precise reason behind the chimney collapse is not known. Our immediate priority was rescue and providing medical assistance to the injured. A thorough investigation will ascertain whether negligence, technical failure, or gas accumulation was responsible,” Debbarma said.
Some local sources speculated that the mishap might have been caused by the accumulation of methane gas inside the chimney during the gestation period, which may have triggered the fire and subsequent collapse. However, police officials emphasized that no official conclusion has been drawn and all possibilities remain under examination.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. In a social media post, he stated that the chimney of ABC Brick Industry in Kamalpur collapsed suddenly, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. He confirmed that SDRF and police teams were immediately deployed to conduct rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured workers.
Local MLA and former Minister Manoj Kanti Deb also visited the site soon after the incident. He said the brick kiln had reportedly resumed operations on Wednesday after remaining closed for months due to unfavourable weather conditions.
“Religious rituals had been performed at the site as part of the customary practice before restarting operations. The main furnace was not yet operational. The workers were preparing to light the fire in the chimney when the incident occurred,” Deb said.
According to Deb, five workers initially suffered burn injuries due to the fire outbreak. Three of them were later shifted to GB Pant Hospital for advanced medical care.
Local residents said brick kilns across Tripura generally operate during winter, as heavy rainfall during most of the year makes brick production difficult. The incident has once again raised concerns about workplace safety, structural integrity, and adherence to safety protocols in brick kiln operations across the state.
| Also Read: Unakoti gears up for National Immunization Day 2025 |
Authorities have assured strict action if negligence or safety violations are found during the investigation. Meanwhile, tension and grief prevail in the area as families mourn the loss of their loved ones.
