The death toll in the boiler explosion incident in Singhanterai of Chhattisgarh has risen to 14. The explosion occurred when a boiler tube exploded at a Vedanta Ltd power plant in Singhanterai village of Sakti district yesterday.
Sakti Superintendent of Police said the powerful blast occurred at around 2:30 pm in a tube supplying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine, causing severe burns to workers. He informed four workers died on the spot, and around 40 were injured and rushed to different hospitals in neighbouring Raigarh and Bilaspur districts. At least 15 of the injured are stated to be in critical condition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap. He announced an ex gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and fifty thousand rupees to the injured. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of 5 lakh rupees each to the kin of each deceased worker and 50,000 rupees to those injured. He also ordered the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division to conduct an inquiry into the tragedy.
The district administration has ordered a separate magisterial probe into the accident. The administration has been directed to ensure proper treatment of the injured and to review safety standards.
