Chennai, Feb 24: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G Madhavan Nair tonight expressed grief over the loss of life in the Sriharikota blast but said the accident would not adversely impact the country's space projects. He said according to information given to him, between four and six people had been killed and three seriously injured in the incident. They have been admitted to the Apollo hospital here. Nair said more people were feared trapped under the debris of the building. Since rescuers could not enter the building because of the fire the exact number of those dead was yet to be ascertained. Nair said a high-power committee had been constituted to inquire into the incident. He said he was going to Sriharikota to assess the extent of damage. ''As of now I can say that it will not affect our immediate projects.'' Nair, who reached here from Bangalore, said he would visit the injured in the hospital later. Meanwhile, an ISRO release said rescue operations were continuing. Emergency operations had been undertaken to approach the building and clear the debris to rescue people trapped inside. Giving details of the accident that took place at 1600 hrs, the release said the blast at the solid propellent rocket booster plant at Sriharikota had caused severe damage to the building. The accident occurred while a test propellant segment was being prepared for transportation after curing. Then, the propellent in the segment caught fire. It said three persons with burns had escaped from the building and had been hospitalised here.
Bureau Report