Death toll 7, likely to rise in Itahari brick kiln collapse

ITAHARI: The death toll in the burning chimney collapse at the New Jaya Nepal Brick Kiln located at Itahari of Sunsari district in eastern Nepal rose to seven while more than 25 were injured. Five of the victims are said to be Indian labourers.

Locals in the area have spoken of a scenario of confusion with workers running helter-skelter following a sudden collapse of the chimney. The impact of the falling chimney caused an emergence of huge fire ball with smoke bellowing from the site which spread to far lying areas.

The construction of the brick kiln chimney is reported to be faulty due to which it collapsed on the workers, killing seven, said DSP Chiranjibi Koirala at the District Police Office, Sunsari.

Among the dead include Garibalal Paswan (50), Mithilesh Paswan (35), Salun Miya (16), Saddam Hussain (15), and Rahul (12) from the Indian state of Bihar.

The dead also include Galadidevi Chaudhary (60) of Ekamba area of Itahari-16 and Shiva Narayan Chaudhary of Pakali of Itahari-20, according to Inspector Tika Bahadur Karki of Area Police Office, Pakali.

All seven bodies have been kept at the BP Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan.

Those who remained trapped under the debris of the chimney were rescued with help of an excavator, police and the locals, said Inspector Karki.

Among the injured condition of 18 is reported to be critical and they are being treated at emergency ward, doctors involved in the treatment said.

The death toll is expected to rise.

The workers with minor injuries were sent to health centres and institutes in Inaruwa and Itahari.

Police assume the technical fault related to the erection of the chimney as contributing to the tragedy. An investigation into the incident has been launched, police said.