Chhattisgarh: 13 dead in gas pipeline blast at Bhilai Steel Plant

The blast took place in a pipeline near coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town.

Image credit: ANI

Raipur: At least thirteen people were killed and 14 injured in a gas pipeline blast in Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday. The blast at the plant of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) took place in a pipeline near coke oven section of the plant in Bhilai town at around 10.30 am.

At least 24 employees were working at the spot when the accident occurred, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) GP Singh said.

Soon after the blast took place, police personnel and a rescue team rushed to the spot. All victims were taken to a nearby local hospital.

Chhattisgarh: Visuals from outside a hospital in Bhilai; 6 people have died and 14 injured in a gas pipeline blast in Bhilai Steel Plant. pic.twitter.com/aQGFNr3LIg

— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018

As per a statement issued by SAIL, the explosion occurred in gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex No. 11 during a scheduled maintenance job. SAIL added that the fire has been brought under control. "All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured," the statement said.

In 2014, too, the plant had seen a major accident when a gas leak resulted in the death of six people, including two senior officials. Over 50 people were affected by the accident. A breakdown in the water pump house caused a leak of the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, which infiltrated the premises due to pressure differences along the purification chamber lines. 

As per SAIL's website, the Bhilai steel plant was set up in 1955 with the help of the erstwhile Soviet Union. It is considered to be the most profitable production facility of SAIL.

The Bhilai Steel Plant is India's sole producer and supplier of world class rails for the Indian Railways, including 260 metre long rails, and a major producer of a large variety of wide and heavy steel plates and structural steel. With an annual production capacity of 3.153 MT of saleable steel, the plant also specialises in other products such as wire rods and merchant products. 

With agency reports