Pipeline blast is IISCO Steel Plant injures 24

According to reports received, the explosion occurred at a gas pipeline at the IISCO Steel Plant (ISP), a subsidiary of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

Media reported that the blast took place at around 12.15 p.m. in one of the units of the plant.

Preliminary enquiry has revealed that the incident occurred during a planned shutdown taken for carrying out rectification jobs in no. 11 pre-heater of the New Coke Oven Battery.

The fire was immediately extinguished.

"An incident of fire occurred at SAIL’s IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) at 12.15 pm on Thursday. Around 24 affected persons have been provided immediate medical attention, both at the Plant Medical Unit and at Burnpur hospital.” SAIL said in a statement.

It has been learnt that, condition of at least four are reported to be critical.

They have been admitted to the ICU of the Burnpur IISCO Hospital.

“Seriously injured are being shifted to a private hospital in Durgapur and the SDO, Asansol, has been sent to Burnpur,” media quoted Burdwan District Magistrate Soumitro Mohan as saying.

"This was a very unfortunate incident. We were starting a new plant when the accident occurred,” Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) leader Harjeet Singh is quoted by media as saying.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader Tarun Kumar added, "On the starting of the new plant, we had warned the management that human life is more precious than that of the factory. They took precautions and even called in experts from abroad. It is very unfortunate that this accident occurred."

Police is investigating the matter.

"We are investigating the reason behind the fire. Out of these 24 people, three are CISF employees. The company officials are also looking into the reason behind the fire," Abhijit Chatterjee, officer-in-charge of Hirapur police station, under which IISCO falls, told media.