Situation normal, no impact on production: Company
Jamshedpur, May 7: Three workers were injured in a blast around 10.20 am at the Coke Plant of Tata Steel here on Saturday.
The victims, identified as Narsingh Murmu, Hari Prasad Sen and Sahit Kumar, were taken to Tata Main Hospital. Narsingh’s condition was reportedly critical as he suffered a fracture in the thigh bone and also reportedly had difficulty in breathing. Doctors were preparing to perform surgery, sources said.
As per reports, no casuality has been reported. However, several fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
“We wish to inform that there was a blasting sound at Battery 6 of Coke Plant at Jamshedpur Works. Currently, Battery 6 is non-operational and is undergoing a dismantling process. Three contract employees sustained minor injuries and were administered first aid. While two of them have been discharged post first aid, one is currently under medical observation, said a company statement.
According to the company spokesperson, “The ambulance and fire tenders immediately reached the incident site and the area was cordoned off. Our emergency response team immediately reached the incident site; the area was cordoned off and the situation was brought under control quickly. The situation is normal now and there has been no impact on the production.”
Flares were seen at the Coke Plant, videos of which were circulated on various social media platforms throughout the day. Some of the news sources claimed there was a major blast accompanied by a gas leakage inside the plant. The claims were however refuted by the company authorities.
“We would like to clarify that there was no fire, as misrepresented in media. In case of any breakdown or emergency, there is a normal process of flaring of gases (non-toxic). There has been no impact on production. As per the standard safety protocol, the incident was immediately reported to the relevant authorities, and an investigation to assess the cause is underway,” said the company spokesperson.
Factory Inspector, Jamshedpur circle, Binit Kumar Singh, said a probe will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause behind the incident that caused minor injuries to three people.
Earlier on January 18, 2021, minor explosion with fire spatters took place at the hot metal pooling pit near Slag Road gate of the leading steel manufacturer Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur works leading to injuries to two workers.
Significantly, on November 2013, at least 11 workers were injured and two of them seriously following an explosion insideTata Steel plant in Jamshedpur. The explosion was caused in the LD gas holder following which a fire had broken out in the adjoining gas pipelines.
Raghubar urges admin to help injured workers
Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed concern about the incident of blast in Tata Steel on Saturday.
“I received the worrying news about blast in Tata Steel plant. I appeal to the East Singhbhum district administration expedite relief work and ensure better treatment of the injured workers,” he said in a tweet.
Admin providing medical help to injured workers: CM
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the East Singhbhum administration had joined the operations in providing medical help to the workers injured in the blast at Tata Steel Coke Plant on Saturday.
“Have received information of a blast in Tata Steel plant. The district administration in coordination with Tata Steel management is providing medical help to the injured,” the CM said in a tweet.