At least eight people were dead and 14 injured in a pipeline blast that took place at the Bhilai steel plant (BSP). A BSP spokesman has neither confirmed nor denied the number of casualties saying that all the injured have been shifted to the hospital. However, ADM Durg district Sanjay Agrawal has confirmed death of eight workers at BSP.
The BSP spokesman said that the rescue operation was their priority presently.
According to information, there were more than 20 labourers at the site working at the coke oven site at battery number 11 to repair a gas pipe line when suddenly there was a huge blast in pipe line. All the laboureres on the spot were thrown here and there due to the impact of blast.
People rushed to the spot for rescue to find nearly eight persons charred to death while there were at least 14 of them severely injured. They had reportedly sustained more than 80 percent burns and were rushed to hospital at Sector-9.
The incident took place around 11.30 am on Tuesday. Amid hue and cry by other workers and kin of those dead and injured, police and BSP management rushed into action and were trying to control the situation. There was chaos all over with flames coming out of the plant.
Condition of five injured is stated to be very critical and fire tenders were still trying to douse the flames. Police suspect there may be more people trapped inside but the smoke inside was making the rescue work difficult.