Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday apologised to residents of Khadikul village in Egra, where a blast at an illegal fireworks factory claimed 12 lives on May 16.

Acknowledging that “administrative failure” had led to the incident, Mamata said the incident could have been “averted” had the intelligence wing of police acted promptly. She urged people to inform the police if they come across any illegal firework-making unit.

“I have not come here to hold a public meeting. I should have come a little earlier. But the sky was cloudy for the past few days. The situation did not allow me to come. Even this morning it was raining, but we took the risk to come here. Since I have come... I bow down to you all and apologise for the incident.”

Around 11am, Mamata landed at Alikul village, about 1.5km from the blast site, where family members of the victims had been brought to meet her. She handed over cheques of Rs 2.5 lakh each and appointment letters to the post of home guards for one eligible person each in the victims’ families.

“A new officer in charge has been posted here. I have heard that the person (OC) posted here earlier never took action. If intelligence had worked at the right time, such an incident would not have happened,” Mamata said.