Mumbai, Jul 24 (Midday News): In a freak accident on Saturday night, a 10-ft high chimney crashed onto the working area of Aqsa Bakery in Jogeshwari West, killing three workers, while two others escaped with injuries. However, even as the Oshiwara police is investigating the reason behind the collapse, bakery workers have alleged that the chimney was over 15-20 years old and not constructed properly.

Four missing
The three who perished in the collapse have been identified as Kismat Shakur Ali, 24, Jitendra Harijan, 24, and Teji Bhargav, 22; the two injured were 20-year-old Raju Bhargav and Hajimullah Mansoori, 45.

"It was a usual night for all the 17 workers, who were busy working on the buns in the back of the bakery. Around 10 pm, just as we were winding up, the chimney fell near the baking area. All of us rushed towards the gate. At that time, Mansoori got out with us, but sustained minor injuries. Later, we realised that four workers working around that area were missing. We again went inside to rescue them and rushed them to Balasaheb Thackery Trauma Care Hospital," said Muhammad Khan, 35, a migrant worker employed at the bakery for over 15 years.

According to Khan, all three workers that died were recent hires, employed only six months ago. "Those three workers joined here as helpers, and unfortunately, on the day, were working around the spot where the chimney crashed."

Blame game begins
Most of the workers claimed that the chimney was very old and made from mud. "The chimney fell because it was over 20 years old, made from mud and poorly structured," said a worker, requesting anonymity.

According to Oshiwara police station report, the owner Bilal Khan and Akhil Khan gave their factory and shop on rent to Aslam and Javed Khan to run the Aqsa Bakery, a 30-year-old establishment. A police officer said, "We are waiting for the reports from the civic authorities and are investigating if the incident happened due to negligence or if it was a natural calamity. Experts' opinions are also being taken. As of now, we have registered an Accidental Death Report in the matter."