Contractual worker dies in fire at Panipat IOC refinery

FIRE BROKE OUT AFTER A BLAST IN THE CRUDE DISTILLATION UNIT OF THE REFINERY; TWO OTHERS SUSTAINED SERIOUS BURN INJURIES

KARNAL: A worker was killed and two others sustained serious burn injuries following a major fire at the Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery, police said on Sunday.

The fire broke out after a blast in the crude distillation unit of the refinery on Saturday night. Fire tenders were rushed to control the flames.

The deceased, a contractual worker, has been identified as Mohan Lal, 25, a resident of Sonepat district.

Another worker Deepak Kumar of Dadlana village of Panipat was admitted to Panipat civil hospital with 75% burns. Their supervisor MS Kherkar was also injured in the incident.

The deceased was an employee of Jyoti Electrical Company which has taken contract in refinery.

The family members of the deceased accused the unit in-charge of the refinery of negligence.

On the complaint of the deceased brother, the Panipat police have booked the owner of Jyoti Electrical Company and the unnamed unit incharge of the refinery under Sections 304 A and 338 of the IPC and started investigations.

Matlauda police station in-charge inspector Mohan Lal said the FIR has been registered against IOC officials and the owner of the private company. The body of the deceased was handed over to his family members after postmortem, he added.

Meanwhile, the IOC management also ordered an inquiry into the matter and said action would be taken as per the findings of the investigation.