Families of Delhi shoe factory fire victims mourn loss of breadwinners
Relatives of those killed in the Mangolpuri factory fire describe how victims worked extra shifts to support their families.
Families of workers killed in a shoe factory fire in Northwest Delhi's Mangolpuri gathered at the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital mortuary on Saturday, according to The Indian Express. The victims, who were the primary earners for their households, had often worked extra shifts to manage finances.
Gayatri, whose husband Harihar, 40, died in the fire, said he had worked at the factory for over two decades. He had recently seen his monthly salary increase to Rs 35,000 and often took double shifts during festive seasons. Gayatri called for punishment for those responsible, stating there should have been escape routes and adequate firefighting material at the factory.
Another victim, 25-year-old Ashok from Bihar, had worked in the dyeing section for 14 to 15 years. His uncle, Umesh, said Ashok earned approximately Rs 16,000 a month and worked extra hours during the peak months of August to December. Ashok is survived by a pregnant wife and two daughters.
Lal Babu Chauhan, 38, from Uttar Pradesh, had worked at the factory for nearly 15 years, according to his sister, Hevanti Devi. She said he lived alone in a Sultanpuri slum and sent his earnings back home. She also expressed anger that the factory owner had not come forward to help the families.
Prem Chand, 50, who worked in shoe dyeing for 10 years, died of suffocation in the fire, his son Ramesh Kumar Jha said. Premchand earned around Rs 14,000 a month and worked night shifts to pay for his wife's cancer treatment at LNJP Hospital in Delhi.