About four labourers are feared killed and more than six seriously wounded when a heavy cello (storage tank) crashed on the ground in Kusum Power Plant at village Ramboad near Sargaon in Mungeli district on Thursday. Although the death toll has not been confirmed officially so far, factory sources alleged that after the crash about 7-8 labourers were buried under the chimney out of which four were reported killed. Instantly after the incident the plant officials stopped production and closed the main gate restricting people from going inside. A rescue team have been engaged to remove the debris and rescue the trapped labourers in the presence of administrative and Police officials. Additional force has also been deployed in the area to handle the tense situation.

 

According to information, the accident took place in the afternoon at Kusum Power Plant at village Ramboad, situated adjacent on the Bilaspur-Raipur National Highway near river Maniyari. Initial information revealed that the labourers after shift-change were busy in their works when suddenly the heavy cello (storage tank) of the plant crashed on the ground taking into grip workers. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mungeli Parvati Patel told that immediately after information a posse of administrative and Police officials rushed to the spot and roped in the area to prevent public trespassing in the plant. After the accident Sargaon Police engaged the rescue teams and initiated massive relief and rescue operation. However, the reason of the accident is yet to be ascertained. Few employees of the plant said that serious negligence of the management was responsible for the accident.

 

The machines and structures inside the factory are not checked and repaired on time due to which this accident occurred. The haste in plant expansion without paying details to safety could also be a reason, stated the workers. Even before this, people of the area were troubled due to pollution caused by the plant. A large number of locals and relatives of the labourers have gathered near the site of the incident demanding a high-level inquiry and firm action against the culprits. The affected families have also demanded compensation from the plant management.