Kolkata, February 25 A nine-year-old boy, who had suffered burn injuries after a drum filled with chemicals exploded in the Bhangar area of West Bengal, died at a hospital here on Wednesday, officials said.
The deceased, identified as Sadikul Ahmed from the Kharigachi village, had been fighting for his life since February 17, when the drum filled with chemicals used for road repair work exploded, they said.
The incident took place when four children were playing near the roadside in Madhya Kharigachi village, police said.
Three critically injured children were initially taken to a primary health centre, and later shifted to MR Bangur Hospital here as their condition deteriorated. Sadikul, who had suffered approximately 95 per cent burns, was kept in the ICU.
The child succumbed to his injuries around 5:55 am, hospital sources said, adding that the condition of the other two injured children is reported to be stable.
Family members of the children had earlier alleged that a drum containing nearly 200 litres of diesel had been left unattended in a densely populated area for road construction work.
