NTPC plant explosion kills at least 18, another 100 injured

Blast at NTPC plant in Uchahar in Uttar Pradesh triggered panic among the workers who ran helter-skelter. NTPC has told the government more help may be needed to control the situation.

Raebareli: At least 18 people are feared dead and nearly 100 have been injured after a boiler went off at an NTPC plant in Uchahar in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

Chief Medical Officer of Raebareli, DK Singh, has said that most of the injured have suffered burns and that the death toll may rise.

Rs 2 lakh compensation will be given to families of deceased while Rs 50,000 will be given to those seriously injured.

NTPC has conveyed to the government that they might need additional help to control the situation. 

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the explosion and has directed Principal Secretary Home to ensure all steps for rescue and relief. The CM is away in Mauritius on a three-day official visit.

SP Shivhari Meena said that relief and rescue operations were launched immediately and the injured were being rushed to nearby hospitals.

The explosion triggered panic among the workers who ran helter-skelter.

The district administration rushed ambulances to the plant and directed health officials to provide prompt treatment to the injured. 

The thermal power plant, also known as Feroze Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Plant, is one of the coal-based power plants of NTPC. 

The coal-fired plant has now been shut down.