An explosion at state-owned Bhilai Steel Plant killed at least nine employees and injured 14 others on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the blast took place around 11 am in a gas pipeline which was connected to the coke oven section of the plant.
“In an unfortunate incident at around 10.30 am, today in SAIL Bhilai Steel Plant, there was a fire in gas pipe line of Coke Oven Battery Complex No 11 during a scheduled maintenance job. Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury,” SAIL said in a statement.
“Injured persons were immediately rushed to the BSP hospital for medical care and aid. Meanwhile, the fire has been controlled. So far, 9 persons have lost their lives and 14 are undergoing medical treatment. All resources have been mobilised to provide adequate care to the injured,” the statement read.
Police said that more than 20 employees were working at the spot when the blast happened.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed at a hospital in Bhilai where the victims were brought in for treatment.
Rescue operations were on at the plant at the time of writing.
Located in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, the Bhilai steel plant is run by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
In June this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the modernised and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to the nation.
Read More: PM Modi dedicates modernised, expanded Bhilai Steel Plant to nation
The plant is India’s sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel.
The plant has an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel.
SAIL said that it “stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support”.
(This copy has been updated.)