Death toll in Vedanta power plant blast rises to 24

Raipur/Sakti, April 19 (IANS) Another worker from Jharkhand injured in the boiler explosion at the Vedanta power plant in Singhitarai village of Sakti district, Chhattisgarh, passed away on Sunday at Raigarh Medical College.

He was identified as Manish Kumar. This has taken the total death toll to 24 following the tragic incident on April 14.

A total of 36 labourers had suffered grievous burn injuries in the blast. The condition of three among the remaining injured continues to be critical, said sources.

Authorities have assured that the best possible medical treatment is being provided to all the injured workers and support is being extended to the families of the deceased.

As many as 12 injured labourers are under treatment.

The explosion occurred in the tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine.

Preliminary findings by the Chief Boiler Inspector have indicated possible lapses, including excessive fuel accumulation leading to pressure build-up.

The administration and central agencies have intensified the investigation. An eight-member team from the Central Industrial Security Force reached the plant on April 18 and examined production logbooks of the preceding 14 days.

The team also gathered details on the frequency of technical shutdowns in the past month.

Sources revealed that the plant had faced technical malfunctions on several occasions over the past year, including a brief shutdown just about 10 days before the accident.

The investigative team has collected evidence from the site and questioned management, employees, and officials. The administration has stated that the exact causes will be known only after the submission of the final report.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns over industrial safety and maintenance practices in the region.

Multiple agencies are working to establish the precise sequence of events and any lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy. The probe is expected to recommend stronger preventive measures to avoid such accidents in future.

–IANS

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