Chemical Plant Explosion Kills 18 In Eastern India, Toxic Smoke Spreads, Workers Trapped, Panic Grips

Kolkata, India— The death toll rose to 18 Monday after a massive toxic chemical plant explosion ripped through an industrial estate in eastern India, shattering buildings and sending a plume of acrid smoke over nearby villages. Workers were inside when it blew.

The blast hit at around 10:30 a.m. in an industrial cluster near Haldia in West Bengal. The force leveled a production shed, blew out windows 500 meters away and set off secondary fires. Officials said 18 bodies have been pulled from the debris. At least 35 others are injured, several critically.

The plant made industrial solvents and chlorinated compounds. What leaked is still being tested. Villagers within two kilometers were told to cover faces and move to higher ground. One worker who escaped said, "There was a hiss, then everything went white. I could not breathe. I ran."

Rescue is slow and dangerous. Teams in breathing gear are combing twisted metal. The air burns the throat. A district magistrate said, "We have sealed the site. We will not allow anyone in without protection. The priority is still finding people."

Families gathered outside a local hospital. Lists of names were taped to a wall. Some names had no check mark. An official said DNA will be needed for some victims because the blast damage is severe. Labor groups said contract workers were on shift with no safety training.

Air monitoring teams reported elevated levels of chlorine and volatile organics. Water from nearby ponds is being tested. Authorities shut down three adjacent factories as a precaution. Fishermen said they saw dead fish floating downstream by afternoon.

The factory's safety record is under scrutiny. Local media reported a smaller leak last year and a fine that was never paid. State labor officials said they will review inspection logs. The company has not issued a full statement, only a short note saying it is cooperating.

Questions are mounting. Why was such a large quantity of volatile material stored together? Why did evacuation sirens not sound? One union leader said workers had complained about faulty valves for months.

Tonight the plant remains cordoned off and smoldering. Machines are silent. The search is paused until hazardous material teams clear the inner zone.