Seven killed in Chhattisgarh steel plant blast, Bhupesh Baghel seeks probe

 Baloda Bazar (The Uttam Hindu) – A major industrial accident occurred on Friday at the Real Spot Steel Plant in Bakulahi, under the jurisdiction of the Bhatapara Rural Police Station, near Baloda Bazar in Chhattisgarh. Seven workers were killed in an explosion at the DSC coal furnace, while others were seriously injured.

Some workers were engaged in routine cleaning work around the DSC coal furnace of the steel plant. During this time, suddenly there was an explosion in the furnace. After the explosion, hot coal came out of the furnace, which caught the workers who were cleaning it. The workers got badly burnt due to the hot coal and high temperature. The accident was so horrific that five workers died on the spot. After the accident, there was chaos in the plant premises. The injured workers were immediately admitted to the nearby hospital, where their treatment is going on. The condition of the injured is said to be critical.

Despite this serious accident, no official information or statement has been released by the plant management. Nor has any clear information been revealed regarding the cause of the accident. Workers and local residents are expressing anger over the management's silence. Upon receiving information about the incident, Bhatapara Rural Police arrived at the scene and began investigating the matter. Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination and are questioning eyewitnesses and plant employees. Preliminary investigations suspect negligence in safety standards. Police say that the plant workers were cleaning around the furnace in the morning when a massive explosion occurred. Hot coal and ash fell on the workers, causing severe burns. The explosion was so powerful that the sound was heard far and wide, and smoke billowed into the sky. Immediately after the incident, the workers were rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance. The cause of the explosion is unknown.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel posted on the social media platform 'X', "We have received the tragic news of an explosion at a sponge iron factory in the Bakulahi area of Balodabazar district. Many factory workers have reportedly died in this horrific accident. May God give peace to the departed souls and strength to the grieving families to bear this great loss." He further wrote that we request the government and administration to provide proper treatment to the injured. We also demand that the families of the deceased be given proper compensation, a high-level investigation into the incident, and strict action be taken against those responsible for this tragic incident. However, Vishnu Deo Sai's Chhattisgarh government has not yet announced any ex-gratia for any of the victims.