Ministry continuing probe into `catastrophic’ explosion at Hack Rice Mill
The Ministry of Labour yesterday said that it is continuing its probe into the “catastrophic” boiler explosion that gravely injured three young men on Thursday afternoon at Hack Rice Mill, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Region Five.
In a statement, the ministry said that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer, Neza King, and Regional OSH Officer, Babita Singh, yesterday visited the site with Steam Boiler Examiner of Yhann Engineering, Mark Yhann, to interview the mill owner and examine the site of the explosion.
Statements were taken from the owner, and interviews will be conducted with the victims during this week.
According to the police, the incident occurred at around 3.30 pm on Thursday and seriously injured Sukra Harrygobin, 25, of Bath Settlement, who had his ankle amputated. Also injured were Farad Uddin, 19, an operator of Blairmont, West Bank Berbice and Anthony Ramlochan called Bobby, age 20 years, an operator of
Lot 54 Bush Lot Village.
The police say that the mill is operated by Fiaz Abdool Hack, 47, a businessman residing at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara.
Harrygobin was operating a rice boiler in the company of Uddin and Ramlochan called Bobby , when he heard a loud explosion. He said he started to feel pain about his left foot and about his body which caused him to raise an alarm, after which several workers ran to his rescue and took him to the Fort Wellington hospital along with Uddin and Ramlochan where they were seen and examined by Dr Eskerine where it was discovered that Harrygobin’s left foot was partially severed.
Ramlochan suffered burns to more than 52% of his body. Uddin suffered lacerations to his right leg.
While they were receiving treatment, they all took self-discharge to seek medical attention privately at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.