NEW DELHI: At least nine workers were killed and 15 injured in a boiler explosion at Vedanta Limted power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on Tuesday. “Nine workers have died, and 15 have sustained injuries,” Prafull Thakur, Sakti superintendent of police said, adding that the explosion occured in the afternoon.The SP further informed that right after the blast, local administration and police teams rushed to the site and the rescue operation was immediately launched to look for survivors.According to the police, three victims were killed on the spot, while the others succumbed to injuries at hospitals. Injured workers have also been admitted to the hospitals in the neighbouring Raigarh district as they undergo treatment.Workers and staff have been evacuated from the vicinity, as it remains extremely hot.Raigarh SDM, Mahesh Sharma, said the probe was under way to examine the exact cause of the mishap. “A heartbreaking incident has taken place at the Vedanta Power plant today in which some workers have been injured, and their treatment is underway. Our investigation is ongoing,” he said.Chhattisgarh chief minister expressed his condolences for the lives lost and extended his prayers for the victims injured. In a post on X, he called the incident “extremely distressing and agonising” as he wrote, “The news of the horrific accident caused by a boiler explosion at the ‘Vedanta Power Plant’ located in Singhitrai in Sakti district is extremely distressing and agonising. The reports of the demise of some workers and injuries sustained in this accident are profoundly heartbreaking. My deepest condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to God to grant eternal peace to the departed souls in His divine abode and bestow upon the families the strength to endure this unbearable grief.”Talking to the reporters he said that investigation for the cause of accident is under way and that strict actions will be taken against the responsible entities.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.” 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.
