Vedanta Power Plant Explosion: Jharkhand Worker Dies; Death Toll Hits 24

Raipur/Sakti (IANS): The death toll from the April 14 boiler explosion at the Vedanta power plant in Singhitarai village rose to 24 this Sunday after Manish Kumar, a worker from Jharkhand, succumbed to his injuries at Raigarh Medical College.

The blast originally left 36 laborers with grievous burn injuries. Sources confirm that 12 injured workers remain under treatment, with three still in critical condition.

Authorities stated that they are providing the best possible medical care to the survivors and supporting the families of the deceased.

Investigation Intensifies

The explosion occurred when a tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine failed. Preliminary findings from the Chief Boiler Inspector point toward potential lapses, specifically excessive fuel accumulation that caused a dangerous pressure build-up.

Both local administration and central agencies have ramped up their probe into the tragedy:

• CISF Review: An eight-member team from the Central Industrial Security Force arrived at the plant on April 18. They are currently examining production logbooks from the 14 days leading up to the blast.

• Maintenance History: Investigators are scrutinizing technical shutdowns from the past month. Sources indicate the plant suffered multiple malfunctions over the last year, including a shutdown just 10 days before the accident.

• Evidence Collection: The team has collected physical evidence from the site and questioned plant management, employees, and officials.

The administration noted that the final report will determine the exact cause of the failure. This incident has sparked renewed concerns regarding industrial safety and maintenance standards in the region. Multiple agencies aim to establish a precise sequence of events and recommend strict preventive measures to ensure such a tragedy never recurs.