Chhattisgarh Steel Plant Explosion Claims Six Lives, Leaves Five Seriously Injured
A tragic industrial accident at a steel manufacturing facility in Chhattisgarh has resulted in multiple fatalities and severe injuries. The explosion occurred on Thursday at the premises of Real Ispat and Power Ltd in Bakulahi village, located within the Bhatapara rural area of Balodabazar–Bhatapara district.
Details of the Devastating Incident
According to District Collector Deepak Soni, preliminary investigations indicate that the blast originated in the unit's Dust Settling Chamber (DSC). This catastrophic failure caused hot dust to be violently released onto workers who were in the immediate vicinity of the chamber.
The human toll was severe:
- Six workers lost their lives at the accident site itself
- Five other workers sustained serious burn injuries and were immediately rushed for medical treatment
Emergency Response and Medical Care
Upon receiving information about the explosion, police and senior district officials swiftly arrived at the location and launched comprehensive relief and rescue operations. The injured workers were transported to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur, where they are currently undergoing specialized treatment for their burn injuries.
State Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal has taken personal charge of the situation, having spoken directly with District Collector Soni. In an official statement, Jaiswal emphasized that the injured must receive the best possible medical care available and has directed hospital authorities accordingly.
Government Response and Investigation
Minister Jaiswal has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic explosion. He has called for swift and stringent action against any individuals or entities found responsible for safety lapses that may have contributed to the accident.
Expressing profound sorrow over the loss of lives, Jaiswal conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased workers. He assured that the state government stands firmly with all those affected by this tragedy and will provide all necessary assistance during this difficult period.
Separate Road Accident Claims Three Lives in Kanker
In an unrelated but equally tragic incident in Chhattisgarh, three individuals lost their lives in a horrific road accident in Kanker district early on Thursday morning. The collision occurred at approximately 3:30 AM near Ratesara village under the Charama police station limits on National Highway-30.
Police reported that two trucks collided head-on with such tremendous force that one driver became trapped inside the mangled cabin. Rescue workers had to employ an earth-excavating machine to extricate the victim from the wreckage.
The deceased have been partially identified as:
- Hori Lal Sahu (33), driver of a mini truck
- Ajay Sahu (30), helper in the same vehicle
- An unidentified truck driver from the other vehicle
Police have shifted the bodies for post-mortem examination and have initiated an investigation to determine the exact causes of this fatal collision.
These back-to-back tragedies in Chhattisgarh have highlighted serious concerns about industrial safety standards and road safety measures in the region, prompting calls for comprehensive reviews of existing protocols and enforcement mechanisms.
