The death toll in the blast at a Vedanta Ltd power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district rose to 17 on Wednesday after four more workers succumbed to injuries, police said.
The explosion took place on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the plant in Singhitarai village, leaving several workers with severe burn injuries.
According to officials, four workers died on the spot, while nine succumbed shortly after the incident. Four more deaths were reported during treatment, taking the toll to 17, Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur said.
A total of 36 workers were affected in the blast, of whom 19 are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals in Raipur and Raigarh, officials said.
Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno said efforts were underway to provide the best possible treatment to the injured, while arrangements were being made to send the bodies of the deceased to their native places after post-mortem examinations.
The deceased include workers from multiple states, five each from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, three from Jharkhand, and two each from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Also read: C'garh boiler blast toll rises to 14; Cong seeks judicial inquiry
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The company said it would provide Rs 35 lakh compensation to the kin of each deceased worker, along with employment support, and Rs 15 lakh to each injured worker. It also assured salary continuation during recovery and counselling support.
The chief minister has ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, while the district administration has initiated a magisterial probe. The company has also begun an internal investigation.
Officials said the probe would examine the cause of the accident, including whether it resulted from technical or human error, and assess safety compliance at the plant. A report has been sought within 30 days.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry and registration of an FIR against the plant management, alleging negligence.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible and sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured.
The 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project, originally developed by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd in 2009, was acquired by Vedanta in 2022. One 600 MW unit was commissioned in August last year, while the second unit remains under construction.
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