9 KILLED IN BLAST AT BHILAI STEEL PLANT
Over 24 workers were present at the site when the accident took place
A blast at Steel Authority of India’s (SAIL’s) Bhilai steel plant killed nine employees and injured 14 on Tuesday, police said.
The explosion happened in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant at around 10.30 am. According to preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred, G P Singh, inspector general of police (Durg range), said. Police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot, Singh said, adding all the victims were taken to a local hospital. Sanjeev Shukla, superintendent of police of Durg, said nine people were killed in the incident. Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai said,“A four-member high-level committee has been constituted to probe the incident." Adequate compensation will be given to the families of the deceased, Sai said.
Nine employees were killed and 14 others injured on Tuesday in a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant of state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, police said.
The explosion took place at about 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town, around 30 km away from the state capital, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh told PTI.
SAIL in a statement said, “In an unfortunate incident around 10:30 am, today at SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, there was a fire in a gas pipe line of the Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job.” “Some people working at the site sustained burn injury... So far, nine persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment,” it said.
Singh said according to preliminary information, over 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred. Some people working at the site suffered burn injuries, the SAIL statement said, adding that those injured were immediately rushed to the BSP hospital for medical care and aid. Resources have been mobilised to provide adequate care to the injured, it said.
“SAIL collective stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support,” the statement said. Police personnel and a rescue team are at the spot, Singh said.
Rescue operation are underway at the plant, operated by SAIL. Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said, “I have got the preliminary information about the blast in a coke oven at Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP).” “I have asked for further detailed information from the authorities. Rescue and relief measures are underway,” he said. According to sources, Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai, Steel Secretary Binoy Kumar and SAIL Chairman Anil Chaudhary have also left for Bhilai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June dedicated the modernised and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the nation.
Sai said, “A four-member high-level committee has been constituted (by SAIL) to probe the incident.” Adequate compensation will be given to the families of the deceased, Sai said, adding that the injured, admitted to the burns unit of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital in Bhilai, are being provided the best possible medical treatment.