A devastating boiler explosion at a sugar factory in Karnataka's Belagavi district on Wednesday afternoon resulted in the tragic loss of three workers' lives and left six others with serious injuries. The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on industrial safety protocols in the region.
The Tragic Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The blast occurred at the Inamdar Sugar Factory located in Marakumbi village, Bailhongal taluk, approximately 50 kilometers from Belagavi city. According to police sources, the explosion took place around 2 pm while maintenance work was being performed on the valves in the boiler's first compartment.
Two workers died instantly at the scene. A third victim succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital. The deceased have been identified as Akshay Chopade (45) from Jamkhandi, Deepak Munavalli (31) from Nesaragi, and Sudarshan Banosi (25) from Chikkamunavalli.
Rescue Operations and Police Investigation
Emergency services responded swiftly following the blast. The six injured labourers were rushed to a private hospital in Belagavi. To ensure their speedy transit, police established a green corridor, clearing the route for the ambulances.
A case has been officially registered at the Murgod police station. Preliminary investigations strongly indicate that excessive pressure build-up inside the boiler was the primary cause of the catastrophic failure. Authorities are now thoroughly examining whether any safety regulations were neglected or compromised.
Factory Background and Safety Concerns Raised
At the time of the accident, about 15 workers were present in the immediate boiler area, with nearly 200 other employees working in different sections of the plant. The factory, a private unit established in 2007, is headed by former Rajya Sabha member Prabhakar Kore as its director, with his son Amit Kore serving as the chairman.
This fatal accident has raised urgent and serious questions about the enforcement of safety standards and maintenance procedures at industrial units. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events and to pinpoint any potential lapses in safety protocol that may have contributed to this preventable tragedy.
