Dhamra port tense after death of 3 workers in coal heap collapse

Bhadrak:Tension prevailed on the premises of Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL) after three labourers were killed and three others were critically injured in a major mishap at coal stockyard here on Sunday.

According to reports, the tragic incident occurred when nearly nine labourers were engaged in loading activities and a heap of coal at the stock yard caved in trapping the labourers.

Bodies of three labourers were rescued and three others were shifted to the hospital while few labourers are still feared to be trapped at the site.

“So far we have recovered three bodies while three other labourers are undergoing treatment at Bhadrak and Basudevpur hospital,” said Bhadrak Collector, Gyana Das.

Following the incident, the labourers went on rampage inside the port and ransacked property. Port office, a four wheeler and other vehicles parked inside the port were set on fire by the agitating labourers.

“We want adequate compensation to the kin of those killed in the mishap,” said a labourer.

The labourers also ransacked a fire tender that had rushed to the spot to douse the flames and also allegedly assaulted CEO Subrat Tripathy.

“They started beating people including the CEO soon after the mishap,” said Security Officer, Rajiv Ghose.

Keeping in view the palpable tension, five platoons of police force have been deployed at the site, said SP Anup Sahu.