The Bhilai steel plant where a blast took place on Tuesday has left 11 dead and over 14 injured so far. Sighting this, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh visited Chattisgarh's Durg district to have an overview of the tragic situation. The minister, during his visit, had promised all support needed for the victims and their grieving families. Steel Secretary Binoy Kumar and Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL) Chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary also visited Bhilai on October 9 to enquire about the condition of the injured. 

 

Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) G P Singh had said confirmed that after receiving the postmortem report of the deceased, a case under the Indian Penal Code Section 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) will be registered followed by an inquiry into the accident. 

 

Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai during his visit to the steel plant site said that a four-member high-level committee was constituted by SAIL to probe the incident.

 

"Reached Bhilai to take stock of the situation after the coke oven blast yesterday. We are ensuring that we extend all possible help to the families who lost their member yesterday and provide best treatment to the injured," the minister said in a Tweet.

 

 In a statement, ministry of steel said it has contacted the ministry of health and four burns specialist doctors from AIIMS Delhi have been appointed to take stock of the treatment required for victims in Bhilai.

 

Based on the advice of the AIIMS burns specialists, the line of treatment is being followed and administered. "Out of the injured, three are serious and in a critical condition. One person is on watch and the others are being given treatment for various stages of burn injuries," the statement said, and added that the ministry has ordered an internal as well as an external inquiry into the accident and concerned officers are also reaching Bhilai to take stock of the situation. 

 

Preliminary information suggests that there were over 24 employees present and working when the accident took place. According to the SAIL, the steel plant is around 30km from the state capital. The Bhilai steel plant plays a pivotal role in the country as it is the sole producer and supplier of rails for the Indian Railways. It has an approximate annual production capacity of 3.1 million tonnes of steel while specialising in several other products too, such as merchant products and wire rods.