Blast in Abandoned Building Claims One Life in West Bengal

Tragic Incident in Katwa

Kolkata, July 5: A tragic explosion occurred late Friday night at an unoccupied structure in Katwa, located in the East Burdwan district of West Bengal, resulting in one fatality and three injuries, one of which is critical. The incident reportedly took place during the illegal production of crude bombs.

Witnesses in the vicinity reported that the area experienced significant tremors due to two consecutive blasts. Upon rushing to the scene, locals discovered a charred body and another individual, Tufan Chowdhury, who was severely injured but alive.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed, while Chowdhury is known in the community as an associate of the Trinamool Congress, with a reputation for involvement in illicit activities.

According to residents, two additional individuals were present in the abandoned building at the time of the explosion and sustained injuries as well. After the blasts, witnesses saw two injured men fleeing the scene, later identified as Safique Mondal and Ibrahim Sheikh.

The force of the explosions was so intense that it caused a wall to collapse and the roof to be completely blown off the building. A significant police presence arrived promptly, and Chowdhury was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The deceased's body has been sent for autopsy, and authorities are working to establish his identity. Initial investigations indicate that Chowdhury may have gathered individuals involved in criminal activities to manufacture bombs in the vacant property.

The abandoned house, previously owned by Lombu Sheikh, who passed away recently, had been unoccupied since his death, allowing Chowdhury to exploit the situation for his illicit operations.