At least 19 persons sustained injuries in a freak mishap at Tata Steel’s plant at Meramandali in Dhenkanal district on Tuesday.
As per initial reports, the mishap occurred after a steam pipe burst following some gas leakage. Sources said some labourers and engineers, who were doing some inspection at the blast furnace, have been injured in the incident. It is said that the persons were injured after hot water fell on them.
All the 19 persons, who sustained injuries in the incident, have been shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack. The injured included some labourers and engineers as well.
Initially, all of them were given first aid at the medical unit inside the plant. The mishap occurred at around 2 pm today. The condition of two persons is said to be critical.
Dhenkanal SP, Gyanaranjan Mohapatra said, “The valve carrying hot water got opened and around 19 persons have been injured in the incident.”
According to Mohapatra, a team from the district administration will also visit the spot for an investigation.
Meanwhile, Tata Steel released a statement and confirmed that 19 persons were injured in the mishap of which the condition of one was stated to be critical.
“We are deeply saddened to report an accident at the BFPP2 power plant due to escape of steam at Tata Steel Meramandali Works in Dhenkanal, Odisha. The accident occurred at 1:00 pm (IST) (Tuesday) during the course of the inspection work. Immediately post the accident, all the emergency protocols services were activated and the area was cordoned off," the statement read.
"The accident has affected several people. All of them were immediately shifted to the Occupational Health Centre inside the plant premises and then to Cuttack for further treatment, as a precautionary measure, in the Company's ambulance, accompanied by doctor and paramedics," the statement added.