New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, May 27, apologised to the people of Egra area in East Medinipur district for the blast that occurred at an illegal firecracker factory on May 16 in which 12 people were killed and many were injured.

According to the news agency PTI, the Trinamool Congress chief said the blast could have been prevented if "intelligence had worked properly". She reached the Khadikul village 11 days after the blast to distribute compensation cheques to relatives of those killed in the blast.

She said she bows her head to the people and apologises for the blast.

Banerjee also handed over letters of appointment as home guards to one member each from the families of those who were killed in the May 16 blast.

She said two people from the family of the primary accused, who is the owner of the illegal factory, have been arrested. She requested locals to inform the police if they are aware of illegal units operating in their areas. The prime accused died three days after the blast at a hospital in Cuttack in Odisha, where he had fled with his family.

According to PTI, nine people have so far been arrested for alleged involvement in running the factory.

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