Kolkata: Four primary school children suffered severe burn injuries — three of them critically — after a chemical-filled drum exploded in the Ghatakpukur area during the repair of a 7-km road stretch from Ghatakpukur to Madhya Khargachhi.According to sources, a 200-litre drum filled with light diesel oil had been left by the roadside. On Tuesday evening, children aged between 8 and 10 were playing near it after returning from school when it suddenly exploded, sending flames and intense heat across the area.The explosion left 4 children — Sadikul Molla, Samiul Molla, Raihan Molla and Riaz Hasan Molla, all residents of Khargachhi and students of Khargachhi Primary School — severely injured.Sadikul sustained critical burn injuries. In an attempt to escape the flames, one of the children reportedly jumped into a nearby pond.Sisir Naskar, Superintendent of MR Bangur Hospital, said that 3 children were admitted in very serious condition. One of them is critical.Bhangar division DC Saikat Ghosh and Canning Purba MLA Shaukat Molla reached the spot. Police cordoned off the area. Bomb squad and dog squad from Kolkata Police also visited the site.Angry residents questioned why inflammable materials were left unattended in a densely populated area.
