Nine killed in gas explosion at steel plant

AT LEAST nine people were killed and several injured in an explosion at a gas pipeline at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh yesterday.

Fourteen people were treated in hospital following the explosion.

The disaster triggered anger among workers over alleged poor safety arrangements by management at the plant. Trade unions had made repeated requests for improved safety.

Production at the plant was halted as hundreds of workers evacuated the premises in panic after the disaster, and refused to resume work.

Vijay Mairal, the spokesperson for Bhilai Steel Plant, said the death toll could increase. – IANS