Six die in accident at SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant

KOLKATA: Steel Authority of India ( SAIL) has decided to launch a high level inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident which took place at the Bhilai steel Plant on Thursday evening in which six employees lost their lives.

An official statement from SAIL released late in the evening 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 hrs.This resulted in sudden loss in water pressure to the GCPs and the Blast Furnace gas from the scrubbers entered the water pipeline affecting the people attending the breakdown in the pump house and in the nearby area.

The crisis response plan was put into action within minutes of the incidence. All affected persons were rushed immediately to the hospital. However, we are deeply pained to learn that six employees have lost their lives. We are deeply saddened by this loss and our thoughts are with their family, friends, and co-workers at this difficult time. The best medical care is being provided to other affected persons who have been brought to the hospital for treatment/observation.
We will keep all concerned updated at regular intervals about the situation."

"A high level enquiry shall be conducted to ascertain the cause of the breakdown and management will extend all the support to the affected persons," the statement added.