Families plead for news as 13 workers remain unaccounted after Narendrapur fire

Families of 13 missing workers from Purba Medinipur waited anxiously outside a thermocol factory in Najirabad, Narendrapur, after a massive fire broke out early on January 26. The workers, from Panskura, Moyna, Tamluk, and Nandakumar, have been unaccounted for since the blaze, leaving relatives desperate for news. Scenes of grief and tension prevailed as families hoped for the safe return of their loved ones.

The missing workers include Shrikrishna Maity and Bapan Majhi from Panskura; Samaresh Pathiker, Tapan Dulai, Buddhadev Jana, and Soumitra Mandal from Moyna; Devaditya Dinda, Bimal Maity, Govind Mandal, Rampad Mandal, Khudiram Dinda, and Shashank Jana from Tamluk; and Sandip Maity from Nandakumar. Relatives expressed anguish over the lack of clarity from authorities regarding recovery efforts or the number of bodies retrieved from the debris.

Purba Medinipur District Magistrate Yunus Risin Ismail assured families that the administration remains in contact and promised a transparent identification process. Despite the reassurances, uncertainty continues to compound the grief of relatives, many of whom waited hours outside the factory, fearing the worst. Eyewitnesses described emotional distress, with some fainting or breaking down while holding their children, as hope and anxiety mingled in equal measure.

The fire has drawn attention to worker safety concerns, particularly for laborers traveling across districts for employment. Local authorities emphasized ongoing recovery and investigation efforts, while families of the missing maintain vigil, awaiting any confirmation about the fate of their loved ones. The tragedy has cast a pall over Purba Medinipur, highlighting the human cost of industrial accidents and inadequate safety measures.