A labourer was killed and seven others injured in an explosion took place at Sarthak TMT in Raipur’s Urla Industrial Area on Tuesday allegedly due to negligence and improper maintenance of machinery equipment. “An explosion occurred at Sarthak TMT plant at around 6 am in the morning leaving a labourer dead on the spot and seven others injured. In preliminary police investigation, it was learnt that the explosion took place in the furnace when labourers were busy in performing their routine duty,” said Urla Station House Officer (SHO) Amit Tiwari.

 

The molten iron in the furnace splashed due to the blast left one dead on the spot and others injured, added SHO Tiwari. SHO Tiwari further informed that the deceased was identified as Pawan Kumar Sahu (19), a resident of Kabir Nagar, while the injured were Sunil, Chatrapal, Ramratan, Baisakhi, Fagulal, Sheelcharan and Rajkishore. All the injured have suffered burn injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city. A probe has been launched to ascertain the cause of the blast that led to a tragic mishap.

 

In this connection, Urla police have booked the management of Sarthak TMT under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and probing the matter further.