Explosion at plant: 3 dead, 49 injured

By Our Correspondent

Mumbai

June 6: Three persons died and 49 others were injured in an accidental fire that broke out in Reliance Industries-owned IPCL plant at Nagothane, 20 km away from Pen in Raigad district on Friday morning. The deceased have been identified as Suresh Padwalkar, Prasad Wadke (company employees) and R.P. Shingade, a contract worker.

Twenty-two of the injured have been rushed to Harkisondas Hospital in Mumbai while 23 were admitted at Ambani Hospital in Raigad district’s Lodhivali while four are recuperating at the Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai. Sources said nearly all the injured have more than 50 per cent burns.

Raigad district collector Ramesh Survade said that a fire broke out at 11.20 am in a section of the LLDPE plant’s unit number 2 which sparked-off the explosion immediately. The accident occurred when the hydrocarbon and welding gas came into contact in the plant that was shut for maintenance on Thursday.

There were 205 maintenance workers present in the premises at the time of accident.

Eyewitnesses said a massive explosion was heard seconds after a smaller one inside the plant. Smoke made it tough for people to escape the scene, said another eyewitness.

The fire was brought under control and extinguished within minutes of the incident after which the company ordered a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, a Reliance official deputed by the company at Harkisandas Hospital said, " The company will bear all the expenses for the treatment."