Vedanta Plant Blast: Death Toll Reaches 24 After Latest Fatality
Death toll rises to 24 in Vedanta power plant blast in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti.
The death toll in the explosion at the Vedanta Limited power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has risen to 24, after another injured worker succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, officials said on Sunday. The latest victim, a worker from Jharkhand, died at Raigarh Medical College six days after the incident.
The blast occurred on April 14 at the company’s power facility located in Singhitarai village, when a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam between the boiler and turbine ruptured. The explosion resulted in severe burn injuries to multiple workers, several of whom remain hospitalised. Officials said around a dozen injured persons are still under treatment across different hospitals, with at least three reported to be in critical condition.
Two additional deaths were reported on Saturday. One of the deceased, Subrata Kumar Jana from West Bengal’s Medinipur district, was undergoing treatment at Raigarh Medical College. The other, Upendra Sah from Jharkhand’s Garhwa district, died at Kalda Hospital in Raipur. Both had sustained nearly 90 per cent burn injuries in the accident, according to officials.
Also Read: Families Mourn As Chhattisgarh Plant Blast Death Toll Rises To 14
Earlier fatalities included workers who died at the scene and others who succumbed in hospitals in the days following the explosion, making it one of the most serious industrial accidents in the region in recent years. The victims belonged to multiple states, including West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
Police have registered a case against eight to ten individuals under provisions related to causing death by negligence and negligent handling of machinery. The investigation reportedly includes senior officials associated with the plant, while a detailed technical probe is underway to determine accountability.
Preliminary findings from investigators and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sakti indicate that excessive fuel accumulation inside the boiler furnace led to a pressure build-up, which ultimately triggered the explosion. Officials also noted that the plant had experienced repeated technical issues in the past year, including a temporary shutdown just days before the accident. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident as rescue and medical efforts for the remaining injured workers remain ongoing.
Also Read: Families Mourn As Chhattisgarh Plant Blast Death Toll Rises To 14
