Gas leak in ’s plant, 6 killed, 40 injured

Raipur: At least six people were killed and over 40 reportedly injured due to a leakage in a methane gas pipeline at a water pump house in the Bhilai steel plant (BSP) on Thursday night.

According to sources, the incident took place at about 7pm. Though officials claim that six people have died in the mishap, unconfirmed reports put the toll higher.

"We are deeply pained to learn that six employees have lost their lives, "a statement issued by SAIL said.

"As per preliminary information, the main header of Pump House No. 2 which supplies water to the Gas Cleaning Plants (GCP) of blast furnaces suddenly ruptured at around 18:10 hours. This resulted in sudden loss in water pressure to the GCPs and the gas from the scrubbers entered the water pipeline affecting the people attending the breakdown in the pump house and in the nearby area," the SAIL statement said.

"Plant management is providing all possible care and support and efforts are on for an early liquidation from the breakdown," the statement by the plant said.

Following the incident, senior fire, police and Bhilai plant officials have rushed to the spot for carrying out rescue operations. Till the time of filing of this report, the authorities were still investigating the cause of the leak. Though the identities of the dead were not immediately known, they were suspected to be labourers working at the plant.

According to BSP officials, critically injured employees have been admitted to plant's hospital at Sector 9 where the condition of at least 11 were reported to be serious.

Chief minister Raman Singh expressed grief over the incident and said that best medical care will be provided to those affected by the unfortunate incident.