The Tripura government has approved ex-gratia assistance amounting to Rs 25.16 lakh for families affected by the fatal furnace collapse at a brick kiln in Dhalai district, in which five workers were killed and three others sustained critical injuries.
According to officials, the Dhalai district administration has sanctioned Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. Additional financial assistance for those who were critically and less critically injured has also been cleared from the State Disaster Response Fund.
The deceased workers have been identified as Subal Debnath, Pinku Shil, Anil Goutam, Bidhu Sharma and Sajal Malakar. The injured — Harkish Sarag, Hankish Chouhan and Santosh Gupta — are currently undergoing treatment, with some of them referred to GB Hospital for specialised medical care.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said the state government would ensure timely disbursement of relief and provide all possible support to the affected families. He added that the district administration has been directed to closely monitor the situation and extend necessary assistance.
The incident took place on December 17 at the Aparashkar Brick Factory in the Nakful area of Kamalpur subdivision. A newly constructed furnace reportedly collapsed shortly after a fire was lit during an inauguration ritual, trapping several workers under the debris.
Rescue operations were carried out by personnel of the State Disaster Response Force, the fire service and local police. Excavators were pressed into service to remove the rubble, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in ambulances.