4 children injured in a chemical filled drum explosion in Canning

A powerful explosion from a chemical-filled drum kept on the roadside left four children severely burnt in Canning, triggering panic in the area. Three of the injured children are in critical condition and have been admitted to MR Bangur Hospital for advanced treatment.

According to local sources, repair work had recently begun on the seven-kilometre stretch from Ghatakpukur to Madhya Kharagachi under the Canning Assembly constituency. During the work, a drum containing around 200 litres of light diesel oil (LDO) was reportedly kept on the roadside. Four children aged between eight and ten were playing near the drum when it suddenly exploded with a loud noise. One child sustained severe burn injuries, while the other three were also badly injured. In extreme pain, one of the children reportedly jumped into a nearby pond. Local residents rushed to rescue the children and first took them to Nalmuri Rural Hospital, from where three were later shifted to Kolkata as their condition worsened. One of the injured, identified as Sadiqul Mollah, remains critical.

Following the incident, Saikat Ghosh and Shawkat Mollah visited the spot. Police launched an investigation, while bomb squad and dog squad teams were deployed to determine the cause of the explosion. Local residents have raised serious concerns over safety lapses, questioning why flammable materials were left unattended on an open road during repair work.