The death of Abdul Rehman, 17, in the plastics crushing factory blast on Thursday afternoon, rendered his mother Daloni Bibi and sister Rahima Khatun virtually dumb.

The teenager was the sole breadwinner of the family.

At their dilapidated hutment in Sujapur, around 12km from Malda, both cried inconsolably as their neighbours crowded around them.

Abdur, his neighbours said, gave up his studies four years back after his ailing father Sariful Momin stopped working. The boy started working at the plastic crushing unit, barely 700 metres away from his house.

“Only two hours before the explosion, I went to the factory and served him roti and vegetables. He gave me money to buy foodgrains and vegetables. I had no idea it was our last meeting,” Daloni wept.

His sister Rahima said that Abdur had stopped going to school, but would encourage her to continue her studies. “He was the lone earning member of our family. We got a cheque of two lakhs from the minister but we really don’t know how to run the family,” said brother Rahim, a Class VIII student.

Neighbour Monirul Islam said only a regular pension could help the family. Sariful Hoque, 25, another blast victim, went to the factory after promising his four year old daughter Ishana Parvin that they would have lunch together during his break.

“My husband did not keep the promise made to his daughter. Ishana was his life,” wept his wife Shiuli Bibi. Villagers were shocked and stupefied as occasional wailings rent the air. Rupali Bibi, another resident, held her 14-year-old son Manzarul Sheikh tightly.

The boy, who suffered multiple injuries on his face and limbs from the blast, was found shivering in fear. “On Wednesday, my son went to the factory alone and urged the owner to give him a job. It was decided that he would sort scrap plastics and be paid Rs 100 a day. Today (Thursday) was his first day at work. I am lucky he escaped with injuries,” said Rupali.

Musha Sheikh, another injured, was discovered at the spot by his son Mustafizur Rahaman, a Class VIII student, and is under treatment at the MMCH now. “My father was a trader but started working at the unit after a major loss in his business. He works hard to ensure that I and my younger sister continue with our studies. All we can do now is pray.”