A catastrophic industrial accident in Butibori, near Nagpur, on Wednesday turned a routine workday into a scene of tragedy, claiming the lives of six workers and leaving several others fighting for their lives in critical condition. The incident, involving the explosion of a massive water tank, sent a surge of devastation through the site, overwhelming medical facilities at AIIMS Nagpur and the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
A Routine Day Turns Tragic in Moments
The disaster struck without warning. Among the victims was 26-year-old Ajay Paswan from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, he was on a video call with his wife and his two-month-old daughter just moments before the explosion. He had assured them he would finish work shortly and then sit down for lunch. Minutes later, a deafening blast followed by a powerful deluge of water changed everything. The video call went blank, and Ajay, along with five of his colleagues, was crushed to death.
An eyewitness stationed at a distance described the horrifying scene where the powerful surge of water swept workers off their feet, trapping some between heavy iron pipes. The injured were first rushed to a local hospital in Butibori, but due to the severity of their conditions, they were subsequently shifted to the major trauma centers at AIIMS Nagpur and GMCH.
Victims and the Migrant Workforce
The six deceased workers, whose ages ranged from 19 to 42 years, have been identified. All were residents of Bihar. The list includes Ajay Paswan, Ashok Patel, Sudhanshu Sahani, Bulat Kumar, Shamim Ahmed Hasmat Ansari, and Arvind Kumar Thakur.
The injured include workers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nagpur itself, with most reported to be in critical condition. A police officer on duty confirmed that one worker remains in the ICU at a Butibori hospital.
The tragedy highlights the plight of India's migrant workforce. Reports indicate that nearly 90% of the workers at the site were migrant labourers who had been living in Butibori for the past few months. Many were the sole breadwinners for their families, sending a large portion of their hard-earned wages back home. The death of even one such worker plunges an entire family into financial uncertainty and despair.
Hospital Response and Aftermath
Following the incident, AIIMS Nagpur and GMCH activated their full emergency protocols. Medical staff worked tirelessly through a tough day, dealing with torn bodies and critical injuries. To manage the influx, the hospitals created additional capacity, making room for up to 50 patients in day-care wards.
The accident in Butibori has once again raised urgent questions about industrial safety standards, especially for vulnerable migrant workers who form the backbone of such sectors. As Nagpur reels from the shock, the focus remains on the treatment of the injured and support for the families who have lost their loved ones in this sudden and devastating event.
