The death toll in the boiler tube explosion at the Vedanta Power Plant in Singhanatarai village of Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has risen to 14, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred at a thermal power facility operated by Vedanta Limited, has also left 20 labourers undergoing treatment, with several reported to be in critical condition.
The explosion took place around 2:30 p.m. on April 14, when a high-pressure boiler tube suddenly burst, releasing superheated steam at an estimated temperature of around 600 degrees Celsius. At the time of the accident, nearly 40 to 50 workers were on duty inside the plant. While four workers died on the spot, others sustained severe burn injuries as the steam rapidly spread through sections of the facility, particularly areas where workers were either on break or moving through open spaces.
According to Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafulla Thakur, the toll increased as more injured workers succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Rescue operations involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and fire services continued late into the night as teams worked to evacuate the injured and secure the site.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the tragedy as “extremely heart-wrenching” and announced financial assistance for victims, along with directives for free medical treatment for the injured.
The state government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, with instructions issued to the Bilaspur division commissioner to investigate the cause and fix responsibility. Both central and state authorities have announced compensation packages for affected families and injured workers, while former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also called for a thorough probe, citing previous industrial accidents in the region.
Preliminary assessments suggest that overheating in the boiler tube may have triggered the blast, raising renewed concerns over safety standards in industrial operations across the region. Authorities have assured that a comprehensive investigation will determine the exact cause of the deadly explosion.
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