According to preliminary reports, the blast occurred in a boiler tube at the Vedanta Limited power plant located in Singhitarai village during the afternoon
Police officials said the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.Pic/PTI
At least nine people died and 15 others have been injured after an explosion at a power plant in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, police said, reported the PTI.
Several workers are also feared trapped at the site as rescue operations continue.
The incident took place at a private power facility in Sakti district, triggering emergency response efforts from local authorities.
According to preliminary reports, the blast occurred in a boiler tube at the Vedanta Limited power plant located in Singhitarai village during the afternoon, the news agency reported.
Police officials said the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Casualties and injuries
According to the PTI, Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur confirmed that nine workers died in the explosion, while 15 others sustained injuries.
The injured workers have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, where some are reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue operations underway
Following the incident, police and district administration teams rushed to the site and launched rescue operations.
Officials were continuing efforts to locate and evacuate workers who may still be trapped inside the damaged structure. Emergency teams were working amid concerns about further risks at the plant, the officials said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai termed the incident "extremely tragic" and said the government stands with the families of the deceased.
A probe will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible, he told reporters in Raipur.
Best possible medical assistance: Management
The plant management, in a statement, said, "An unfortunate incident occurred at one of the boiler units at our Singhitarai plant, involving personnel from our sub-contractor, NGSL (NTPC GE Power Services Limited), which operates and maintains the unit," reported the PTI.
The management said that its immediate priority is to ensure the best possible medical assistance and treatment to those affected, and that it is closely coordinating with medical teams and local authorities.
"We are in the process of ascertaining details, and a thorough investigation has been initiated in coordination with our partner and relevant authorities," it said, the news agency reported.
Explosion at Pithampur plant in Bhopal
Meanwhile, in an another incident, panic gripped the Pithampur industrial area in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Tuesday after three powerful explosions occurred at a waste management plant, sending shockwaves through nearby villages and triggering concern among residents, officials said, the IANS reported.
The blasts occurred at the facility of Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited, a plant that had earlier drawn national attention for incinerating toxic waste from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
The sound of the explosions was heard up to a distance of nearly one kilometre, while residents in surrounding villages reported tremors, according to the IANS.
Police teams and district administration officials rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident.
Officials said that a team of police personnel and technical experts continues to investigate the incident inside the premises.
Pithampur City Superintendent of Police, Ravi Soner, told media persons that the situation is under control and that a detailed investigation is underway.
(with PTI and IANS inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
