Five workers were killed and three others were seriously injured after a chimney at a brick kiln fell on them in Kamalpur area of Dhalai district in Tripura on Wednesday. The kiln was operating when the structure suddenly gave way.Local people said the workers were carrying out their regular duties when the chimney began to crack and collapse. There was no time for the workers to run. The heavy bricks and debris fell directly on the labourers, trapping them under the rubble. Police and officials said the injured workers were rushed first to a nearby health facility and later taken to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala for better treatment. Doctors are monitoring their condition. Teams from the Fire and Emergency Services and the State Disaster Response Force reached the site soon after they received information. With the help of local residents, they cleared the debris and recovered the bodies of the five deceased workers. The rescue operation continued for several hours.
After the incident, Kamalpur police detained the owner of the brick kiln, Souvik Paul, and the manager of the unit for questioning. Police have registered a case, and an investigation is underway to find out whether there was negligence or violation of safety norms. Residents in the area said brick kilns in remote regions often operate without proper monitoring. Workers usually work in unsafe conditions, and safety measures are minimal. People demanded strict checks so such incidents do not happen again. Families of the dead workers gathered at the site and at the hospital, hoping for updates and demanding compensation. Some family members alleged that the chimney had shown signs of damage earlier, but no repair work was done. Officials said these claims will be part of the investigation.
The district administration said relief measures are being arranged and further action will be taken after the inquiry report. The incident has created concern among workers in the area, who are now afraid to return to brick kiln work without proper safety assurances.
