Blast in sugar mill in Bihar's Gopalganj; 5 dead, owner arrested

Patna: At least five labourers were killed and several others injured due to a blast in a boiler at a sugar mill in Bihar's Gopalganj district, said reports on Thursday.

The incident took place at the Sasa Musa Sugar Mill in Gopalganj.

#Visuals from boiler blast site at Sasa Musa sugar mill in Bihar's Gopalganj; three laborers killed, many others injured. pic.twitter.com/RRUKvPpPme

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

There were at least a hundred people present at the Sasa Musa Sugar Mill when the blast in one of its boilers took place. 

The initial investigation reveals that blast in the boiler occurred due to overheating.

Among those injured in the blast were rushed to a nearby hospital with over 90 percent burns. Three of those are said to be in a critical condition. 

Many labourers are still trapped at the boiler blast site. 

#UPDATE: Death toll rises to 4 in Gopalganj boiler blast. Police arrest sugarmill owner pic.twitter.com/2mWAhV2YTZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

Meanwhile, the Gopalanj administration has launched a rescue operation.

Gopalganj is 160 kilometres away from Patna, Bihar.

The owner of the Sasa Musa Sugar Mill, who was absconding, has now been arrested.

The relatives of the deceased have accused the authorities of not paying heed to the advice of the engineers and flouting safety norms.