SRINAGAR: At least two people were killed and another injured after a juice factory steamer exploded during repair work in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.
The blast occurred at Aglar on Wednesday night, leaving three workers — Saurabh Singh, Shiv Kumar, and Raj Kumar — injured while they were repairing the steamer, according to news agency PTI. The injured were taken to a hospital, where Saurabh Singh succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday night, while Shiv Kumar died on Thursday morning. Raj Kumar is currently undergoing treatment, officials said. All three workers were residents of Uttar Pradesh.
Details of the Incident
The explosion took place around 9:30 PM on Wednesday. The steamer, used for processing juice, burst suddenly while the workers were attempting to fix a malfunction. The force of the blast caused severe injuries to all three men. Local residents rushed to the scene and helped transport the victims to a nearby hospital.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as Saurabh Singh and Shiv Kumar, both in their late 20s. Raj Kumar, who is in critical condition, is being treated at a hospital in Srinagar. Officials stated that the workers were employed at the factory for the past six months and were from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest a technical fault in the steamer may have caused the explosion. The factory has been sealed, and further inquiries are ongoing to determine if safety protocols were violated.
The tragic incident highlights the risks faced by workers in industrial settings, particularly in smaller factories where safety measures may be inadequate. Local labor unions have called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such accidents in the future.
